New York Times, Friday, May 1, 2020

As you might have guessed, this puzzle started with the upper-right corner. I thought that I might be able to build around the double-stack of FIZZLES OUT and FUZZY WUZZY, as the letter combinations seemed rather promising. I did not think that I would be able to come up with such a smooth corner— and especially not one that also works in other long answers as nice as JAINISM and RIVER STYX, or that bookends a section that already has seven Zs with a J and an X. I guess I must be doing something right (besides evidently being a practitioner of black magic).

In completing the rest of the grid, I strove to elicit the desired feelings toward the majestic upper-right corner by incorporating as many positive subliminal messages to solvers as possible, such as BODE WELL, IN AWE, "DAMN!", and "NICELY DONE!" Seriously, though, I really liked the fun, light, and uplifting vibe of this puzzle when I submitted it, and it looks just as good to me now — in fact, I think this might be my favorite themeless puzzle of mine to date. It feels quite cohesive to me, and from the GIN SLING / OENOLOGY pairing to REVERSI above EN PASSANT, hopefully there's something here you enjoyed. The inclusion of PRECALC might put a bit of a damper on the fun, positive vibe for some (I speak from experience), but hey, at least it means that FUZZY WUZZY isn't the only bear in this puzzle.

I feel like the tone of the cluing here only adds to the fun, and in particular, there are several clues of mine for shorter entries that I am glad to see make it into print. As an avid Scrabble player, I thought my ZZZ clue was especially fun (and easy enough to infer). My clue for LINE takes an angle that the NYT has never used before, and is evocative of the unfabricated mirth of blooper reels. I also think that the clues for ADA and LEO X include some interesting pieces of trivia (who needs a Popemobile when you can have an elephant instead?).

It brings me joy to have this puzzle published, and I hope that it will brighten your day as well. Happy solving!

It's no surprise that Trenton holds many spots in our list of Scrabbliest scores. Knowing all about his love for JQXZs has made his puzzles some of my quickest solves. For example, a three-letter word for [Zilch]? Has to be ZIP! Bwa ha ha!

Rats.

That didn't work, but once I broke into the NE corner, [Faith that …] crossing [Israeli port]? That cross had to be a J. I couldn't tell you the first thing about JAINISM or JAFFA, but I recognize them from crosswords. And if I know Trenton, it's-a-gonna-be a J! Thank goodness ZAFFA, XAFFA, and QAINISM aren't real words.

[Square], starting with a P? Let's see, what word could fit in a JQXZ ... maybe even two? PIAZZA, bam! Using the same logic for [Hairless creature …], it had to be FUZZY WUZZY. Moving down, [It always goes to hell] — fantastic clue, by the way — has to end in STYX, to get another JQXZ.

Boo yah! Or should I say, booj zah!

I wasn't hot on ZZZ or LEO X, neither of those elegant ways of working in extra JQXZs, but I enjoyed the concentration of Scrabble high-pointers in that region.

The rest of the puzzle oddly PLAYed IT SAFE for a Charlson outing. I was able to plunk in JUS because I kept thinking "where is Trenton going to land his next JQXZ?" — my success allowing me to DO A JIG. Curious that he didn't wedge in one or two or eight more. I like that he outfoxed me.

Two clues I should explain:

1. OOZE = [Give a powerful impression of]? Think "that frickin' crossword blogger oozed ridiculousness."
2. [Study for the bar?] is a delightful clue for OENOLOGY — if you know that OENOLOGY is the study of winemaking. Get it, wine bars? This clue might have landed better for an entry like WINEMAKING.

I enjoy Trenton's puzzles in part because I have insider knowledge that allows me to speed through his puzzles. That makes me feel smart — more accurately for Trenton, an extremely quick-witted Jeff-whiz. Sometimes I want more of a challenge though, and it'd be great to see more variety. Outfox me more, Trenton!