Crossword Championship 2026
April 9th, 2026 at 8:06:23 PM
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It’s that time of year again. Son of SOOPOO, David Plotkin, will be trying for that elusive World Championship again. It’s the competition sponsored by The New York Times.
David has finished between 2nd and 4th for many years now. The top 3 make it to a live final puzzle on a stage in front of a live audience. And get a check.
The first 6 puzzles start at 11am EST from Stamford, Ct. On Saturday
I’ll keep the forum updated on his progress.
David has finished between 2nd and 4th for many years now. The top 3 make it to a live final puzzle on a stage in front of a live audience. And get a check.
The first 6 puzzles start at 11am EST from Stamford, Ct. On Saturday
I’ll keep the forum updated on his progress.
April 11th, 2026 at 12:34:10 PM
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After 2 puzzles completed and scored he’s tied for 3rd.
Top 3 make the Finals.
Top 3 make the Finals.
April 11th, 2026 at 12:49:28 PM
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How many contestants? Wishing him well.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
April 11th, 2026 at 7:12:05 PM
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Quote: billryanHow many contestants? Wishing him well.
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I think around 800. He is in 4th place alone after 6 puzzles with one more qualifying puzzle to go Sunday morning. History tells us his chances of moving up that one needed spot are slim. He needs to beat 3rd place by a minute in puzzle 7 to qualify, barring a stunning collapse by the leading two puzzlers. I’d put David’s chances at between 5 and 10%.
April 11th, 2026 at 7:32:00 PM
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Find out the third-place guys' room number and send them a complimentary case of champagne.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
April 12th, 2026 at 6:56:05 AM
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Quote: billryanFind out the third-place guys' room number and send them a complimentary case of champagne.
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If you saw my son paying off Tonya Harding you’d be mistaken.
He has finished puzzle 7. He describes his performance as ‘as fast as humanly possible’. But that means no checking for errors, not reading all the clues, and even possibly leaving a square blank inadvertently.
Waiting for the final grading. If he made an error he drops to 9th or so. If not he might make the big stage. Since 4th and 9th are essentially the same, he threw all caution to the wind.
April 12th, 2026 at 7:07:57 AM
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Quote: SOOPOOQuote: billryanFind out the third-place guys' room number and send them a complimentary case of champagne.
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If you saw my son paying off Tonya Harding you’d be mistaken.
He has finished puzzle 7. He describes his performance as ‘as fast as humanly possible’. But that means no checking for errors, not reading all the clues, and even possibly leaving a square blank inadvertently.
Waiting for the final grading. If he made an error he drops to 9th or so. If not he might make the big stage. Since 4th and 9th are essentially the same, he threw all caution to the wind.
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Best of luck to him. I agree with his strategy of going all in especially since he has competed successfully for years without winning.
You can't know everything, but you can know anything.
April 12th, 2026 at 8:56:54 AM
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Quote: DRichQuote: SOOPOOQuote: billryanFind out the third-place guys' room number and send them a complimentary case of champagne.
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If you saw my son paying off Tonya Harding you’d be mistaken.
He has finished puzzle 7. He describes his performance as ‘as fast as humanly possible’. But that means no checking for errors, not reading all the clues, and even possibly leaving a square blank inadvertently.
Waiting for the final grading. If he made an error he drops to 9th or so. If not he might make the big stage. Since 4th and 9th are essentially the same, he threw all caution to the wind.
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Best of luck to him. I agree with his strategy of going all in especially since he has competed successfully for years without winning.
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Strategy worked! He’s in the top 3! Final puzzle in less than an hour. This is the most nervous I EVER get! You can watch it on YouTube.
April 12th, 2026 at 9:10:23 AM
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Quote: SOOPOO
Strategy worked! He’s in the top 3! Final puzzle in less than an hour. This is the most nervous I EVER get! You can watch it on YouTube.
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What, no link?
https://www.youtube.com/live/EprtDJZCIiM
Ashly tells me that it is a parental obligation to post links to videos of your children's activities.
May the cards fall in your favor.
April 12th, 2026 at 10:02:48 AM
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Somebody pointed out that the C division winner was a 13-time Jeopardy! champion 11 years ago
April 12th, 2026 at 11:13:50 AM
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Congratulations on the achievement!
April 13th, 2026 at 7:27:24 AM
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Quote: smoothgrhCongratulations on the achievement!
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Thank you! I consider it a ‘win’ when he makes the top 3 to get on the stage to compete for the Championship and at least get a check no matter what. I think he’s made top 3, 5 out of the last 6 years? I may go back and check….
April 13th, 2026 at 6:01:22 PM
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Quote: SOOPOOQuote: smoothgrhCongratulations on the achievement!
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Thank you! I consider it a ‘win’ when he makes the top 3 to get on the stage to compete for the Championship and at least get a check no matter what. I think he’s made top 3, 5 out of the last 6 years? I may go back and check….
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I know you are proud of him, and so am I. Congrats!!!
You can't know everything, but you can know anything.
April 13th, 2026 at 7:52:52 PM
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He made it into a mention in Wikipedia.
Immortalized for all time.
Immortalized for all time.
Sanitized for Your Protection
April 14th, 2026 at 6:41:50 AM
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So many years in the top three. Congratulations, Soopoo. We all enjoy these annual posts of yours about your son.
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
April 14th, 2026 at 8:46:36 AM
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Quote: gordonm888So many years in the top three. Congratulations, Soopoo. We all enjoy these annual posts of yours about your son.
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I just checked. Last 10 years he has made top three 7 times. Only Dan Feyer has done that also. Tyler Hinman ihas the third most top 3’s at 4.
If crossword puzzling was a ‘sport’, it would be one with a staggering participation rate amongst the overall population. It is estimated that 50 million Americans regularly do crossword puzzles. If you are a top 3 tennis player that is a much easier path to top 3. Or skier. Or baseball player. Much smaller talent pools.
Next year the competition moves to Philadelphia. I am going to try and go.
May 3rd, 2026 at 5:12:43 PM
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So not sure how it was proposed…. But was at some friends’ house with David….. the lady loves crosswords…. someone on TV was holding their breath….. I asked David if he could do a Monday NY Times crossword on one breath. He said he was pretty sure he could. He just texted me to say ……. SUCCESS
ONE BREATH. One minute and 11 seconds to do today’s ( which is technically tomorrow’s) puzzle.
ONE BREATH. One minute and 11 seconds to do today’s ( which is technically tomorrow’s) puzzle.
May 3rd, 2026 at 7:10:33 PM
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Listened to an interview with this guy this morning. He talked about quickness on the button being a big factor in his Jeopardy streak.
So, is there possible improvement in other areas that apply to crosswords. For instance, shortcut on writing a letter one way, vs another? Shortest stroke possible, smoothest, that ends up getting a fraction of a second extra off over the hundreds of letters. It could add up to saved time.
Other possibilities, - once you know the word and start writing it, learn to be already studying the next clue before you even finish writing that word you knew. This would take practice of course because people don't normally do that on crosswords, but if you need speed... it might work.
I mean, I believe that guy that won must have come up with some tricks he was so fast.
Quote:The Streak Ended: Jamie Ding, a New Jersey bureaucrat, finished his run with 31 consecutive wins and $882,605 in total winnings, ranking him fifth all-time in both categories
So, is there possible improvement in other areas that apply to crosswords. For instance, shortcut on writing a letter one way, vs another? Shortest stroke possible, smoothest, that ends up getting a fraction of a second extra off over the hundreds of letters. It could add up to saved time.
Other possibilities, - once you know the word and start writing it, learn to be already studying the next clue before you even finish writing that word you knew. This would take practice of course because people don't normally do that on crosswords, but if you need speed... it might work.
I mean, I believe that guy that won must have come up with some tricks he was so fast.
Sanitized for Your Protection
May 3rd, 2026 at 7:41:25 PM
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Quote: rxwineListened to an interview with this guy this morning. He talked about quickness on the button being a big factor in his Jeopardy streak.
Quote:The Streak Ended: Jamie Ding, a New Jersey bureaucrat, finished his run with 31 consecutive wins and $882,605 in total winnings, ranking him fifth all-time in both categories
So, is there possible improvement in other areas that apply to crosswords. For instance, shortcut on writing a letter one way, vs another? Shortest stroke possible, smoothest, that ends up getting a fraction of a second extra off over the hundreds of letters. It could add up to saved time.
Other possibilities, - once you know the word and start writing it, learn to be already studying the next clue before you even finish writing that word you knew. This would take practice of course because people don't normally do that on crosswords, but if you need speed... it might work.
I mean, I believe that guy that won must have come up with some tricks he was so fast.
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All of the above, and more. To me the most amazing thing is NOT READING SOME CLUES. That through practice you learn what the most common letter combinations are. If you see OT_ you just put another T in without seeing the ‘slugger Mel’ clue. If the clue ends up being ‘non prescription’ and you needed to put a C in you are cooked.
