Sat May 10 11:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Challenging Crossword Puzzles NYT Debutant’s Work

**New York, NY** – Shaun Phillips, a newcomer to the New York Times crossword puzzle scene, has debuted a challenging themeless puzzle that has captivated and stumped solvers alike. Phillips’s third crossword creation for the publication boasts a unique layout with a notably low word count of 60, a feat requiring considerable skill in construction.

The puzzle features clues described as being on a “high altitude” wavelength. One solver noted getting stuck in each corner despite solving the longest entries quickly. Clever wordplay is on display, with clues such as 20A, “[Baby blue, perhaps],” cleverly referencing the eye color of Paul Newman, with the answer being “PEEPER.” Other notable clues include 29A, “[Some dragonflies]”, whose answer, “DARNERS”, leads to a fun fact about their larval stage, and 38A, introducing the debut crossword entry “SUN ROSE” for [Mediterranean plant named for its brightly colored flowers].

A particularly intricate clue, 7D, “[“Mary Poppins” tune that begins “With tuppence for paper and strings / You can have your own set of wings”],” requires specific knowledge of the film’s soundtrack, with the answer being “LETS GO FLY A KITE.” The solver notes that this entry, along with the grid’s two large blocks trailed by diagonal black squares, visually resembles something that could be flown “up to the highest height,” adding an extra layer of ingenuity to the puzzle. Overall, Phillips’s puzzle presents a delightful challenge for experienced crossword enthusiasts.

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