As we crossword lovers know, Saturday’s version of NYT Crossword is the most difficult one. It is full of puns and clues integrated with wordplay. However, today’s puzzle takes the difficulty level to another world; it is themeless and there are clues ranging from not-so-funny jokes to the world of sports!
To me, diversity is the main theme of the NYT Crossword of Jan 31. In this analysis of the puzzle, I will review some of the trickiest clues of the grid which make you laugh, scratch your head and think twice.
47-Across is one of those clues which seems really simple; however, in Saturday’s puzzle there is no such thing as easy and “straight”. When I encountered the question (Season), suddenly I thought Fall is the answer (since it requires a 4-letter answer). But crossing entries helped me to understand the meaning; by season, the constructor means spice, like SALT.
56-Across is a dad joke I was talking about in the introduction. How should we react to the answer of this clue? The question “Old man?” solves to NEANDERTHAL; archaic humans whose extinction occurred 40000 years ago. Let me have a little smile for the clue, I don’t want to be rude! (Just Kidding)
Let’s jump to the clues 46-Across and 4-Down which are about two legends in Tennis and Chess: Monica Seles and Mikhail Tal. Seles was a genius player who ranked as the No.1 in women’s singles. On the other hand, Tal is one of the towering figures of chess history whose attacking playstyle is famous among the chess players.
As diversity is the theme of NYT Crossword of Jan 31, let me change the subject and review 54-Down clue which is a gift to cat people. Horatio Henry Couldery painting’s “Curiosity” includes three cats which one of them is the answer to this clue: CAT
If you haven’t checked the painting by Couldery, take a look at it and enjoy; the cats are really cute and also “curious.”
Alongside the crossword, the theme of our analysis is also diversity. We review the clues from different worlds which are united in one grid; Everything from everywhere!
Today’s Saturday grid was a true test of range! Did the Salt misdirection catch you off guard, or were you stuck in the prehistoric past with the Neanderthal clue? Drop a comment below with your completion time or your favorite (or most frustrating) clue from today’s puzzle. Let’s see who mastered this diverse grid!
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