Fabe F

Double decker checker is not the King in chess, it is when a checker is moved all the way to the opponents first row whereupon you put another checker on top of it making it "double decker". It can then move in both directions.

Hi Tarun, Great puzzle. Lots of fun. Hi Sam, In regard to your puns, I don't see an enemy, I see a fun commentator.

I think having to know all the Toni Morrison novels is a bit much for Tuesday. The crossings helped me get all of them without having to look anything up though. I would say this puzzle is Wednesdayish in terms of difficulty.

As a veteran solver, I got through it. But this was at least Wednesday level solving.

To SP (and the late Ogden): The three l llama is a fire (say it out loud). I thought the puzzle was fun. Thanks Nancy J for the new Yorker article. I must have read it but after 20 years ago I didn't remember it.

I thought it was easier than the usual Friday puzzles. Even Mets fans know Joe Torre.

As a long time solver I can usually breeze through Monday and Tuesday puzzles quickly and easily. (I can do Sunday through Friday although I sometimes rely on Easy Mode for backup). I collaborate on Saturday with one of my sons. I have been coaching my wife, who is new to solving crosswords. She has gotten past Monday level and can do part of Tuesday puzzles. This one is harder than usual for a Tuesday, and she was not up to it. I would rate it as a Wednesday level. I did enjoy it though. Thanks.

When I saw Yogi once, my first thought was catcher. The across answers nixed that right away and led me to bear cub. I think wet paint is more prevalent than wet floor, although I see both frequently. I had no idea about the Marvel references, but the fill answered them. In response to Don H, when I see an answer has more than one possible answer, I see if there is an unusual letter in the crossings that will guide me.

My copy of the puzzle has the clue for 55A Beer Brand discontinued in 2010 not Anheuser-Busch Brand. I got it, but I think the clue should be cited as it is written. I thought the puzzle was pretty easy for a Wednesday. I enjoyed it. The constructor notes were fun!

People seem not to remember that the phrase alluded to in 40A was actually "VICIOUS CIRCLE"

The puzzle and the easy mode version were the same. What happened?

Olla or lola's is not accepted by Spelling Bee.

Note to Sam:Carmen as a comic opera? Too many people die.