#650 - "Nothing But Neighbors"

[Hector]

This week’s contest answer is a landlocked country.

NOTE: Matt's website specified an incorrect prompt ("ten-letter phrase," i.e., last week's prompt) initially; since fixed.

[damefox]

Solved. This is supposed to be a week 1 to make up for last week's harder than normal week 1. I would say this one also misses the mark; easier than last week's but not a true week 1.

[ChrisKochmanski]

Beam me up!

[Hector]

Agree. The grid is hard for obvious reasons, and the meta is at least a titch harder than a hit-you-over-the-head week 1 (esp. if you're looking for a 10-letter phrase ). No complaints from me; I much prefer this to a "true" week 1.

[Dannyvee]

Tough grid but beam me up!

[Bird Lives]

Still awaiting confirmation, but pretty sure I'm beamable.
I liked the land-locked-country motif. Didn't find the grid difficult, aside from a country I never heard of.
Also, this is one where Joe Ross's shadeable Excel versions would be very useful.

[sharkicicles]

Easy meta but that upper right was a bit tricky to fill.

[Meg]

Fun puzzle, but not really sure I’d call it a week 1. Energize!

[Hector]

Anyone else get 44D because https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F_tT-q8EF0?

BTW, a swing and a miss for e.a.

[spotter]

Beamed up. Fun enough puzzle, better than a true week one

[ky-mike]

Beam me up as well. Tougher grid than meta.

Now, back to the WSJ meta, which again isn't jumping out at me so far this week.

[Dannyvee]

Anyone else get 44D because https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F_tT-q8EF0?

BTW, a swing and a miss for e.a.

Hahaha! Yes!
(Edit: Referring to 44D, not e.a. missing)

[higgysue]

Beam me up!

[Dplass]

"Today's puzzle is Week 2 of 4 in November, but note that it will be Week 1 difficulty to compensate for last week's especially tough Week 1."

I beg to differ...There are just ...so...many...countries...that I don't know who lives where or what city is where or etc.

[madhatter5]

Beam me up as well!

[tonyrobots]

Beam me up! Was overthinking at first until I saw the difficulty note. Not sure this is easier than last week (which I thought was a snap), but I enjoyed them both! Happy weekends, everybody.

[Joe Ross]

[stmv]

On the leaderboard. I agree with the previous comments that this was harder than the promised week 1 difficulty.

... and in 20-20 hindsight, this puzzle is an impressive feat of construction.

[Joe Ross]

IMO, this was the easiest meta I've seen since starting in April, 2019. Different strokes.

[Dplass]

With that said, with judicious use of a highlighter (I forget who suggested it but it has helped recently), beam me up.