THEMELESS MONDAY: [ ACROSS LITE][ PDF]
PROGRAMS: [Across Lite] [Adobe Reader]
Meet the new ACPT champion. Same as the old champion. Old Faithful "Steely" Dan "Can I Get Another Nickname, Please?" Feyer finally scored a record eighth championship. That record is his and his alone, unless somehow the other seven-time winner Jon Delfin goes back to the future on everybody and gets his revenge on Stamford, Connecticut. Now don't quote me on that, but then again, would anybody be surprised if that happened? I wouldn't. Besides, if the pattern holds, Dan seems to only be winning in the odd numbered years lately. Remember: after going a pristine six in a row, Feyer's reign of terror was broken up by Howard Barkin in 2016 and Erik Agard last year. So, somebody else is due for 2020. It could be Jon. It could be you.
Anyway, to mere mortals like you and me, Robyn Weintraub's gorgeous final puzzle would be a workout. For Dan, it looks like taking dictation. This shall be the only spoiler in the post: click here to watch Feyer's lay-up victory over Joon Pahk (2nd) and David Plotkin (3rd). Feyer's like Tom Brady, he's always in the mix to win, and every time somebody counts him out, he comes back to win everything the next year. Unbelievable talent, and an unbelievable work ethic. So yeah, just like Brady, only without the quack science of pliability and eating avocado ice cream in hopes to live forever. Dan, if you're reading, don't get any ideas. Other people want to compete at some point.
BTW: that video is by my man Ben Zimmer.
So, like I said, no more spoilers. If you haven't done the puzzles already, why don'tcha get yo'self a copy immediately. Aside from the previously mentioned Finals puzzle, which I loved for it's very fresh and fully feminine voice, I'd like to point out my favorite of the bunch was by Joel Fagliano. A solid theme executed well, and from a technical point of view, constraint-heavy and therefore quite tough to fill cleanly. Anyway, solve 'em for yourself.
As always, it was great to meet the solvers, those of you that did come up and say hello. Don't be shy if you see me at Boswords and Lollapuzzoola this summer. I won't bite, unless you ask nicely.
Share the puzzle. New one on Thursday
Brendan Emmett Quigley creates custom-made puzzles for all occasions: birthdays and bar mitzvahs, anniversaries and retirements. You name it. Need a puzzle for your website or your publication? He can do that, too.
Brendan's custom work clients have included The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, BeerAdvocate, Boston Magazine, De Beers, The Decemberists, ESPN, The Improper Bostonian, Lollapuzzoola, McSweeney's, Phish, Reflexive, The Smithsonian Magazine, St. Martin's Press, Uncle John's Bathroom Reader, and Andrew Weil.
Call (617) 2-999-BEQ or click 
