Fri Jan 30 17:40:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Robyn Weintraub’s Crossword Puzzles Continue to Captivate New York Times Solvers in 2026
The Story
The New York Times published a column by Sam Corbin on January 30, 2026, highlighting the consistently challenging and creative crossword puzzles created by Robyn Weintraub. The article praises Weintraub’s themeless Friday puzzles, noting her clever clues, original fill, and entries that seem to engage in a dialogue with each other. The column provides specific examples of difficult clues from a recent puzzle, inviting readers to share their own experiences and favorite entries in the comments.
Key Points
- Robyn Weintraub has been publishing crosswords in The New York Times since 2011.
- She created the May 2020 Super Mega Crossword, a 25×25 grid, in two weeks.
- By 2021, Weintraub had published a crossword on each day of the solving week.
- Her Friday puzzles are known for being themeless, featuring chewy clues and original content.
- The article highlights specific clues like “Stopped lying,” “Switch to a shorter line, say,” and “Melts down” to illustrate the puzzle’s difficulty.
Key Takeaways
- Robyn Weintraub’s consistent contributions to the New York Times crossword have established her as a respected and popular puzzle creator.
- The column reinforces the continued importance of the New York Times crossword as a daily mental challenge and source of entertainment.
- The discussion of specific clues highlights the ingenuity and wordplay involved in crafting a successful crossword puzzle.
First Piper 