Unraveling the Mysteries: Inside a Cryptic Crossword Contest

The world of cryptic crosswords is a niche realm, often seen as an exclusive club that's hard to enter. For enthusiasts, finding resources to begin solving can be quite challenging.

This was precisely the motivation behind Vivek Singh's creation of Extra-C, a hobby group that hosts the Indian Crossword League (IXL), established in 2013. Singh, who is also an IAS officer, aims to broaden the appeal of cryptic crosswords.

To help newcomers, Singh has enlisted freelance enthusiasts to conduct 'A Clue A Day' contests on crypticsingh.com. His organization also runs annual competitions for schools and colleges, but the marquee events are reserved for seasoned solvers.

This year, I was among the 30 participants who qualified for the IXL prelims. As we gathered in Bengaluru on December 21, the atmosphere was relaxed, but the upcoming written prelims promised to be anything but easy.

The prelims selected six finalists: Ramki Krishnan, an accomplished computer scientist from Chennai, emerged victorious for the eighth time in 13 editions, followed by last year’s champion, Shashwat Salgaocar, and others from varied professional backgrounds.

Before the finals, participants faced a grueling online round that took place over ten Sundays, attracting around 800 players. The competition intensified in the prelims, where even the top scorers were unsure of their performance.

The preliminary round featured two challenging grids created by experienced puzzle makers. An additional 15 minutes were granted when no one could complete them within the time limit. Ultimately, Krishnan managed to crack 44 of the 56 clues, while Salgaocar topped the prelims with 47.

One particularly tricky clue exemplified the challenge: "They are absorbed with eggs, hence can reverse eating meat (9)." This required a deep understanding of cryptic clue construction under pressure.

The final competition showcased six finalists tackling two less-daunting grids, with clues presented in a quiz-like format. The finals were thrilling, with Krishnan securing victory with a score of 85, significantly higher than his closest competitor.

Singh expressed contentment with the event's execution, highlighting the journey from his initial efforts with Extra-C to the establishment of a World Cryptic Crossword Championship. His dedication to making crosswords accessible to a broader audience, including students, remains evident.

Singh continues to encourage participation from all backgrounds, emphasizing that cryptic crosswords are not solely for the elite but can be enjoyed by anyone willing to engage with the puzzles.