New York Times, Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Some of my favorite memories involve playing board games with friends and family, so it was wonderful to get this theme accepted for publication. I detailed the creation of this puzzle in a lengthy blog post, in hopes that it would help other new constructors like me (and also because I just like talking crosswords, even if I'm speaking into an empty room). The highlights:

• This one went through multiple iterations. The first version included PICK A BONE WITH US (Operation), PULL A FAST ONE (Jenga) and STOP DROP AND ROLL (Yahtzee) as themers. I think you'll agree that the finished product is an improvement.
• Hopefully solvers don't find this grid to be too segmented. Grid design is not my strength. On the plus side, I'm glad I kept the grid to 74 words.
• I find there's often a balancing act between a clean grid (free of obnoxious crosswordese) and a sparkly grid (with some interesting non-themers). Overall, I was happy with the long Downs but getting them in required some concessions in the fill that I hope didn't detract from the solve.

I want to thank everyone at the NYT — especially Wyna, who was my main contact on this one — for their help in getting this puzzle to the finish line. Feel free to email me (billy.ouska at gmail dot com) any comments or critiques. Also, if there are any aspiring constructors out there who have questions about the process or who are looking for a resource, please get in touch!

Such a fun visual, a GenCon attendee spotting a CONNECT THE DOTS sign, thinking sure, I'll go form some pictures … wait … this is a punny description of dominoes?

Ah, the games we play!

Considering CONNECT THE DOTS was such a fun themer, it's sad that it took me such a long time to connect the dots on this theme. The first one, CAPTURE THE FLAG, confused me because that is the stated goal of Stratego — I couldn't figure out why the clue would have a question mark at its end.

Thinking about my GenCon visual though, it is funny to imagine quiet Stratego players getting ambushed by people in camo gear, stealing that critical piece off their board.

I appreciated that a few clues exhibited the same playfulness as the theme; uncommon in an early-week puzzle. [Work of art that goes to waist?] is a perfect example of wordplay accessible to newer solvers. Not only is there a telltale question mark, but "goes to waist" screams to be noticed. Such a wicked way to hint at TORSO.

[Cadillac rims?] might go over noob heads, though, as it's a trick commonly employed in later-week puzzles. The "rims" of "Cadillac" are its outer Cs, or in crosswordese, CEES.

Neat idea, repurposing phrases in a punny way to describe a game. It'd have been an easy POW! pick if all of them had been "clever misdirections from one game to another," like CONNECT THE DOTS and dominoes.