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8 results for OPTIMAL from Modern Era puzzles:

Repeated clues show (number of Modern Era occurrences).

Date	Grid	Clue	Author	Editor
Sun Jul 30, 2023	71A	Best (6)	John Kugelman	Shortz
Sat Sep 10, 2016	12D	Unbeatable	Peter Wentz	Shortz
Thu May 26, 2016	57A	Best (6)	Andrew Zhou	Shortz
Thu Nov 29, 2007	3D	Best (6)	Elizabeth C. Gorski	Shortz
Fri Jan 27, 2006	47A	Best (6)	Sherry O. Blackard	Shortz
Sun Nov 4, 2001	13A	Best (6)	Manny Nosowsky	Shortz
Sat Nov 15, 1997	15A	Most desirable	Fred Piscop	Shortz
Sun Nov 26, 1995	21A	Best (6)	Harvey Estes	Shortz

12 results for OPTIMAL from pre-Shortz puzzles:

Date	Grid	Clue	Author	Editor
Sun Jun 29, 1986	45A	Most favorable	Edward Marchese	Maleska
Mon Jul 29, 1985	51A	Most favorable	Sidney L. Robbins	Maleska
Sun Aug 21, 1983	81D	Most favorable	Frances Hansen	Maleska
Mon Aug 30, 1982	38D	Most desirable	Dave Cuzzolina	Maleska
Fri Feb 6, 1981	37D	Most satisfactory	Dorothea E. Shipp	Maleska
Sun Apr 4, 1976	81D	Best	J. A. Felker	Weng
Fri Jul 18, 1975	58A	Best	Jean Reed	Weng
Tue Dec 27, 1966	38A	Most favorable.	Unknown	Farrar
Sat Aug 15, 1964	6D	Most favorable.	Unknown	Farrar
Thu May 16, 1963	16A	Most favorable.	Unknown	Farrar
Sun May 14, 1950	126A	Most favorable.	Jack Luzzatto	Farrar
Sun Oct 15, 1944	106A	Best.	Bert Storey	Farrar

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