We flip for the Orcas!
The Orcas conclude today with the award for Best Crossword. Before we get to the last award, let’s recap the winners thus far:
Will one of these puzzles win Best Crossword? Click “Continue reading” to find out!
Orcas Week is winding down. Today we present the Bob Klahn Award for Best Clue and the Margaret Farrar Constructor of the Year Award. Tomorrow the festivities end with the award for Best Crossword. There’s mystery in the air this year, as for the first time the nominees for Best Crossword were not announced in advance. Was your favorite nominated? You’ll find out in 24 hours.
The Orcas honor excellence in crosswords published in 2015. Here’s the list of winners so far:
Today’s awards come after the jump.
Note: whale may not be to scale
Time for today’s installment of the Orcas, our annual “awards show” saluting some of the best crosswords from 2015. Today features the Orca for Best Gimmick Crossword.
We’re getting close to the big finale on Saturday when the coveted Orca for Best Crossword will be awarded. Here’s how the week is shaping up:
• Sunday, February 28: Best Easy Crossword (won by Lynn Lempel)
• Monday, February 29: Merl Reagle Award for Best Sunday-Sized Crossword (won by Jeremy Newton)
• Tuesday, March 1: Best Freestyle Crossword (won by Natan Last) and Best Tournament Crossword (won by Joon Pahk)
• Wednesday, March 2: Best Meta/Contest Crossword (won by Matt Gaffney)
• Thursday, March 3: Best Gimmick Crossword
• Friday, March 4: Bob Klahn Award for Best Clue and Margaret Farrar Constructor of the Year Award
• Saturday, March 5: Best Crossword
Coming up after the jump: puzzles with twists and turns that will make your jaw drop and your head explode (in that order, we assume).
We’re gonna need a bigger pool.
Welcome back to the Orcas, our annual recap honoring outstanding achievement in crossword construction. Today we present the Orca for Best Meta/Contest Crossword, the fifth of nine awards given out this year. To recap the schedule for the week:
• Sunday, February 28: Best Easy Crossword (won by Lynn Lempel)
• Monday, February 29: Merl Reagle Award for Best Sunday-Sized Crossword (won by Jeremy Newton)
• Tuesday, March 1: Best Freestyle Crossword (won by Natan Last) and Best Tournament Crossword (won by Joon Pahk)
• Wednesday, March 2: Best Meta/Contest Crossword
• Thursday, March 3: Best Gimmick Crossword
• Friday, March 4: Bob Klahn Award for Best Clue and Margaret Farrar Constructor of the Year Award
• Saturday, March 5: Best Crossword
There’s some great puzzles to read about after the jump. So jump already!