Elyse G

I’ve been doing the NYT crossword for 50 years. I love the rebus puzzles, and tricks don’t fluster me. But I knew all the answers here and still can’t figure out this multiplication thing. I’m not very happy about it! This isn’t really a word puzzle.

Deb is correct that some people will find this too easy for a Thursday. I understand that many peopl wouldn’t agree, but in about 50 years of doing NYT crosswords, I am finding the later week puzzles to be getting too easy! We can’t all like every puzzle, and I think it’s fair to have harder puzzles at the end of the week. I don’t do the Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday puzzles, so I don’t get 7 puzzles a week either. But I want a challenge on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, please.

Can we please have a second set of puzzles Thursday through Saturday? I know my brain isn’t getting better, but yesterday and today I finished the puzzles almost 15 minutes faster than average. When I do archive Thursday-Saturday (from the 90’s and early aughts), my times are much longer. It’s no fun finishing a Saturday in 7.5 minutes. The puzzles are getting easier. I’m sure there are many others who want tougher solves.

It was a great puzzle, but it was a Monday or Tuesday level at best. On Thursdays, I (and I’m sure many long-time/serious solvers) are looking for a challenge. Please give that to us. I finished this one in 7:29, way below my Thursday average.

I thought this puzzle was clever and tough enough for a Saturday! I do have a bone to pick though - I don’t think an AXEL is a “spin” - it’s a jump which is a different type of move.