Crosswords are ubiquitous; they’re joyful, they’re invigorating, and they’re ingrained in cultural traditions for many of us. The New York Times Mini Crossword is my favourite of many favourites, a go-to, a daily quick jog if my intended marathon is, say, a crossword with longer fill, maybe some extra theme answers, entirely bylined (not with any crosswordese) in The New York Times. But readers of The Mini shouldn’t be intimidated; although the size of the puzzle is as it sounds, that doesn’t mean the brain workout is any less invigorating. The secret to solving The Mini – even caring about solving The Mini – is to elevate your strategy. This article can help you do that. It will help you to solve The Mini, and even set records for your fastest solve time.
Every crossword expert knows it can be a smart MOVE to fill in the edges first. Beginning with the outside of a small grid such as The Mini, which embraces brevity, can allow you to identify and place border bits that cut through confusion, bringing order and momentum to your solve. To start with the edges is a MOVE. Start them out, though, and you’re moving like someone heading towards the win.
It is all part of the crossword experience to find a clue in which you cannot see the connection. The key is to think outside the box. Crossword clues are often cleverly oblique. ‘This might bring you to tears,’ is not about sad movies or sad books. It is a clue to onions. Thinking beyond the first thing that pops into your head to tackle a crossword clue could open up a whole new set of answers leading to another ‘aha’ moment.
Winkling-in names like ‘Writer Tolstoy’ isn’t random. It’s a taxonomic MOVE to lay out an accessible trail and hidebier territory Let the aliases of crossword luminaries – past and present – be a revelation. Inoculate yourself against stranger clues, and it might not be long before they feel like a breeze.
In fact, I’ve often found it’s quicker to time myself and aim for something a bit faster than expected – this promotes a combination of lightning-quickness and precision. You embrace getting things done with a sort of brisk, efficient burst of thought – not hasty but prompt.
As anyone who’s ever practiced a move can tell you, consistency is the foundation of mastery and practising The Mini every day, in the same way that you might brush your teeth or scroll through your morning emails, will quickly increase your facility with it. Because it becomes so familiar, something that was once awkward to do becomes more like second nature.
The Mini is not just a paper puzzle, but one that can’t be experienced without digital technology – not just because of the hints, but because of the community response, the engagement, the mental agility, and the brain-training that can be had. This is my way of angling you into the collective experience, so you can gain more from the experience itself.
In practice, what this means is that The Mini is not just a daily habit: it’s a kind of world, and through it, you become tied to a community of other avid players, linked by their mutual love of a diagnostic process. Your pocket-sized puzzle delivers tiny alms: an accessible, yet challenging, meal you can adapt to your needs, be they low or high, and best consumed at the beginning or end of your day.
Whether you’re new to the fad, or have been long-time puzzler looking to level up, know that every MOVE gets you a little bit closer to being not just a puzzle solver, but a true puzzlemaster. Whether it’s starting with the perimeter of the cube, thinking beyond narrow puzzle culture, or turning to The Mini as a daily stress reliever, these MOVES help you get one step closer to more puzzle mastery and enjoyment.
To conclude, then, whether you are a seasoned pro or a newcomer to The Mini, the challenge on the path to mastery will be something of a puzzle in its own right – a set of moves just waiting for your discovery. Think about it, play well and revel in the challenge – and you will find that your skill, speed and satisfaction will take a rocket ride. Thanks for reading. And remember, in the world of The Mini every MOVE counts.
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