WSJ Contest — Friday, September 30, 2022

Grid: 15 minutes; meta: 15 more 

 


Patrick Berry’s Wall Street Journal contest crossword, “Back Nine” — Conrad’s writeup.

This week we’re looking for a term related to golf. There were four long theme entries. I looked for backwards entries (based on the title) and quickly found them. Each themer contained backwards words, nine in total:

  • [17a: Perfect for the purpose]: MADETOORDER -> RED ROOT EDAM
  • [34a: Countertop materials]: LAMINATES -> SET ANIMAL
  • [39a: Shipboard vermin, or what pirates call their enemies]: BILGERATS -> STARE GLIB
  • [57a: FedEx vehicle]: DELIVERYVAN -> NAVY REVILED
WSJ Contest – 09.30.22 - solution

WSJ Contest – 09.30.22 – solution

Each backwards word started a clue. Here are the matching grid entries, in across then down order:

  • [15a: Edam, for one]: CHEESE 
  • [38a: Set (down)]: LAID
  • [44a: Navy Vessel letters]: USS
  • [1d: Animal on California’s flag]: BEAR
  • [3d: Reviled]: HATED
  • [33d: Stare rudely at]: OGLE
  • [44d: Glib-tongued]: URBANE
  • [49d: Root location] SCALP
  • [52d: Red muppet]: ELMO

The mapped grid entries spell CLUBHOUSE, our contest solution. Great puzzle, and a classic Patrick Berry meta: well constructed, with trademark precision. I’m impressed that the theme entries didn’t feel forced (forwards or backwards). Solvers: please let me know what you think.

 

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4 Responses to WSJ Contest — Friday, September 30, 2022

  1. MichelleQ+(onaquest) says:

    Classic Mr Berry, thank you. We got it at the 11th hour due to other distractions this weekend. A relief after drawing blanks the last few weeks.

  2. Neal says:

    Somehow no rabbit holes this week. Elegant construction. No notes. :)

  3. Garrett says:

    13 grid entries involved in the meta, yet all the fill was very clean, with no junk. That’s impressive. I filled the grid in 16 minutes. It took me close to an hour to see the backwards nine words. From there, about 15 minutes to get the correct answer. I thought it was a marvelous meta.

  4. Mikie says:

    Seemed easy, but they always do when you get them right away, and I’ll certainly take it, haven’t had a shot at the coveted mug in a few weeks. Smooth and amazing construction, agree that “elegant” describes it well.

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