The Fireball puzzle is a contest crossword this week. Write-up to come after the deadline.
Crossword tournament announcement from Will Shortz—The 19th Westchester Crossword Puzzle Tournament will take place this Friday, Sept. 16, 7:30-9:45 pm, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 8 Sunnyside Ave., Pleasantville, NY (about 4 blocks from Pleasantville’s Metro North station). The puzzles are drawn from Monday–Thursday NYT crosswords that will run in the next two weeks. Prizes (puzzle books and trophies) will be awarded to the top solvers overall, as well as the best junior (≤25 years), senior (60+), rookie, and resident of Pleasantville. The cost is $30/solo solver or $45/pair and includes coffee and dessert. All the money raised goes to the Pleasantville Fund for Learning. Regular crossword constructors and editors aren’t allowed to compete, but are welcome as officials. You can sign up at the door. For more info, see the Fund for Learning’s website.