Tyler Hinman, four time American Crossword Puzzle Tournament Champion, completes a Monday New York Times Crossword Puzzle in about 2 minutes. Filmed March 2, 2008
http://www.TylerHinman.com
About the American Crossword Tournament
http://www.crosswordtournament.com/
Directed by New York Times Crossword Puzzle Editor Will Shortz, this is the nation's oldest and largest crossword competition. Solvers tackle eight original crosswords created and edited specially for this event. Scoring is based on accuracy and speed. Prizes are awarded in more than 20 categories, including a $5,000 grand prize. Evening games, guest speakers, and a wine and cheese reception allow solvers to meet each other in a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere.
From wikipedia:
The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament is an annual crossword-solving tournament held every March. Founded in 1978 by Will Shortz, who still directs the tournament, it is the oldest and largest crossword tournament held in the United States; the 2008 event attracted nearly 700 competitors.
The contest was held for thirty years at the Marriott in Stamford, Connecticut, but due to its increasing popularity, the 2008 tournament moved to the larger Marriott Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn, New York.
The main part of the tournament consists of seven rounds. Puzzles in these rounds vary in size and difficulty. In each round, competitors solve the same puzzle. Puzzles are judged on both accuracy and speed.
The top three solvers after the first seven rounds progress to the final round, which consists of solving a very difficult crossword on an oversized grid on a stage at the front of the tournament room. The three competitors in this round wear noise-blocking headphones so that a team of commentators can remark upon the action for the spectators. The winner of this round is declared the tournament champion.
While anyone is eligible to compete for the tournament championship, prizes are also awarded to solvers in other skill levels, including rookies. Prizes are also awarded in various age and geographical divisions.
Wordplay
The 2006 documentary Wordplay, directed by Patrick Creadon, focuses on Will Shortz and the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. It includes interviews with many of the top competitors and climaxes with the final round of the 2005 tournament. The DVD release includes video from the final round of the 2006 tournament. Shortz credits the film as the main reason for the dramatically increased attendance at the 2007 event that necessitated the move from Stamford to Brooklyn beginning in 2008.
