I'm only a week late, but I'm finally caught up with the puzzles that came out during the three weeks I was away. Diagramless puzzles are among my favorites, so I had to do this one. I didn't find it that easy to get started (out of practice, maybe?) because even though I asked for the starting square, I then didn't notice it on the printout until I was well under way. So I worked on graph paper, and then didn't pay enough attention to the symmetry clues, so I had my GMC/MACHU block over on the right until I realized I had a grid that was 19 squares wide. Oops! Moved that section over to the left, and everything started to work. I loved the flower diagram, and really didn't notice the theme answers as I was solving. But some of them were great words.
I do wish there were more diagramless puzzles through the year. Is there another source for them somewhere?
I loved this one. It's only my second diagramless and I didn't realize the shape could be part of the theme. I managed to do the whole thing without even realizing there were theme answers! As a beginner the fact that the symmetry and answer lengths could betray the starting position was lost on me, but I'll keep that tip in mind. It would probably make folks angry but I'd love to see diagramlesses in place of "puns & anagrams" and "cryptic crosswords".
Puzzle was fun, if a bit too easy, but the presentation was really poor. For me the pleasure of a diagramless is in determining the shape. Once you have identified the black boxes most diagramless puzzles become trivial. An essential part of this is NOT knowing the starting square, or the type (if any) of symmetry.
Consider todays puzzle. Without knowing any answers, I can see that the first across clue has 3 letters, the second has 5. Since the printed sheet says the puzzle has left-right symmetry, I know that the first clue is alone on the top line, therefore it it centered. So you give away the starting square even to those who don't want it. Identifying the second line is just as easy, etc.
There was a time when I could print a page containing only the across/down clues, without any spoilers. Doesn't seem possible any more.
If solving without spoilers seems difficult I suggest using a sheet of graph paper, and at first ignore the puzzle boundaries. Put the first answer in the middle of the top row, and then figure out where the boundaries need to go.
The new format really takes the zing out of the diagramless concept. I suspect because this is not a favored variety; Deb, among others, has indicated some impatience with my approach, which is fine, but if you are going to continue to publish diagramless puzzles, do it right.
Jess, if you print out the puzzle with Across Lite, it doesn't tell you the type of symmetry or the starting square, unless you click the yellow note rectangle.
I thought this was a great diagramless puzzle. The left/right symmetry in addition to crossword symmetry, plus the very short words, made for a little extra challenge in solving.
Usually they give the starting square. Why is it missing? I can see that someone is just guessing where to start it, which makes for even more erasing than usual.
Never mind. I found it thanks to the hint of vast spaces at the top.
For those who want to pursue this issue:
It isn't always the case, but here there is a note about left-right symmetry, and the first acrosses are 1A, 4A, 6A.
You know from 1A-4A that the first answer is only 3 letters (the first letters of 1D, 2D, 3D), and from the existence of 4D and 5D that the answer to 4A must be five letters long, the middle three of which are the second letters of 1D, 2D, 3D. Since there's left-right symmetry, that's all you need to know to put 1A one square to the left of center in the top row and be off and running.
I know that I'm only speaking here as a "spectator", but
before you click on Print, you can click on "Show first 1-A Square".
Then when you click Print, THAT square will have a "1" in it.
Nice one. The type of symmetry makes it an excellent candidate for beginning diagramless solvers. The theme answers were all cute.
I only shade the squares that need to be shaded (not the vast expanses in the corners today, for example) and that resulted in a pretty little picture for the theme. Enjoyable solve.
Although Diagramless puzzles are not my favorite, this one was enjoyable. 35A, in particular, was a clever clue/answer. The ? eliminated turrets as an answer, but not right away.
My FAVORITE variety puzzle: Diagramless. YAY!!
It's a shame so many people have convinced themselves that Diagramlesses are out of their reach. They're no more difficult than some "middle" puzzles in the Little Variety, IMHO. It's best to start on scrap paper:
- If you can solve 1-Across, write it's answer at the top with some room on both sides.
- Solve the Down clues that begin in that answer. Even if you didn't solve 1-Across, its letters begin the first Down entries that are numbered less than the second Across clue, so you'll know how long that first Across entry should be. Same idea applies at the top of each new "corner."
- Figure out if the second Across entry starts a new "corner," or if it goes in the second row under 1-Across. The letters you've found so far in the first few Down entries may help you figure that out, as will the lengths implied by clue numbering. Leave lots of space between unconnected corners.
And so on. Before long you may have two, three, even four independent "corners" underway, but eventually they'll all connect. It's really fun and empowering to see that happen. Using symmetry as a clue, you normally only need to go as far as the center of the puzzle to see how the top half connects together and fits into the grid. Often you can figure it out sooner.
I hope people will at least give this one a start and see how far you get. I bet before long, many of you will be as hooked as I am, and demanding them more often. Practice is everything.
1
Well, I solved it on your urging. Pretty fun, though I found myself wishing there were an app. Doesn't seem like it should be too hard to get the Times' normal app to do a diagramless.
1
I heartily agree with you. I enjoy these very much, though I have to admit this one required an extra blank for me to finish. I started at the top and the bottom, but couldn't connect them - until I did. Good fun.
She is always so impressed by the knack that it takes to construct one of these.
I have to say the same thing about the knack that it takes to SOLVE one.
I couldn't do it a in a million years.
I see Caitlin is back, so
TO DEB:
If you're on vacation, have a good time.
if you're sick, get well soon!