Eliminating the Competition (CONTEST)

by George Barany, Ralph Bunker, John Child,
Michael Hanko, and Roy Leban

This suite of puzzles builds on the tradition established a year ago with the Enigma Variations crossword metapuzzle contest. Shown on this page is the "late-week level" Master Division puzzle (15x16); further instructions below. A "mid-week level" Open Division puzzle can also be accessed from this main page. Both puzzles include a meta, as described below. Feel free to try whichever puzzle suits your taste. After completing the puzzles (spoiler), click here for our "midrash" which explain all.

Contest (Master Division): Explain this puzzle's theme, including its title, and any nuances you see.  Bonus for Grandmaster level solvers: How was the "reveal" chosen? 

Click here to view or download the puzzle in PDF format and here to download it as an ipuz file [requires the free Puzzazz app to solve]. Update: Now that the contest is completed, click here for the solution. Note that the ipuz file has also been updated to include the solution (you can re-download to update the puzzle in place).

Contest (Open Division): Explain this puzzle's theme, including its title.  Specifically, explain the answers to the four indicated clues.

Click here to view or download the puzzle in PDF format and here to download it as an ipuz file [requires the free Puzzazz app to solve]. Update: Now that the contest is completed, click here for the solution. Note that the ipuz file has also been updated to include the solution (you can re-download to update the puzzle in place).

Contest Deadline: Post Super Bowl Monday (turning into Tuesday), February 8, 2016, midnight PST. Once you have your final answer grid plus your best explanations, please submit them to barany@umn.edu. All entries will be acknowledged within 48 hours; otherwise resubmit. Update: The contest is now concluded.

Prizes: There will be multiple high-quality prizes, with further details posted after the contest deadline passes. In addition to grand prizes for each divisions, prizes will include crossword books (some autographed) and subscriptions, and "vanity" puzzles. Decisions of the anonymous judging panel are final, and thanks in advance to our generous sponsors and prize donors. Update: Our beta prizes page is now available for your perusal.

If you want to tell others about this particular page, refer them to
http://tinyurl.com/competitionpuz

More puzzles here (all).

E-mail barany@umn.edu to be added to a bcc distribution list.