When New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz took on the post in 1993, he set out to make the paper's puzzles more accessible. Now, he says people of all ages are taking part.
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Maybe you’re tantalized by finding the matching patterns in The New York Times’s puzzle Tiles. Or obsessed with achieving “genius” level in the word-forming Spelling Bee. Or addicted to getting tormented by the Times Sunday crossword.
There’s a gamer in everyone. That’s the mind-set of a growing team at The Times dedicated to entertaining more readers through puzzles, whether they’re looking for a big challenge or a small thrill to break up their day. And a pivotal leader in that effort is Everdeen Mason, The Times’s first editorial director of Games, who joined the team in January.