MGWCC #807 — “That’s a Stretch”

An excellent puzzle written by one of the innovators of the meta crossword format. It comes out every Friday at noon and increases in difficulty throughout the month. Available for modest subscription (worth every cent) here: www.xwordcontest.com
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Joe Ross
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MGWCC #807 — “That’s a Stretch”

#1

Post by Joe Ross »

MGWCC #807 — Friday, November 17th, 2023 — “That’s a Stretch”

THIS WEEK’S INSTRUCTIONS:

No instructions given here since there are no-instructions options available.

Solve well, and be not led astray by words intended to deceive.

Matt


B-to-Z Vwllss Crsswrds:

Try out Peter Gordon's new Kickstarter for his B-t-Z Vowelless Crosswords! All consonants! I’ve tested a number of these and they’re crazy fun. Lead your brain down all sorts of wild trails. Try them HERE.


Question and Answer session with Matt Gaffney on Saturday, October 28, 7:30 PM ET.


WANT TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY CROSSWORD CONTEST?:
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MMe
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#2

Post by MMe »

This looks like it would have been a fun downs-only, no-instructions one, if anyone is on the fence about that
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jhseeman
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#3

Post by jhseeman »

Beamed up, quick one this week.....
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ky-mike
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#4

Post by ky-mike »

Gift from Matt this week
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Dannyvee
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#5

Post by Dannyvee »

MMe wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:12 pm This looks like it would have been a fun downs-only, no-instructions one, if anyone is on the fence about that
I'd be curious to know if anyone solves the meta that way-- not sure what your in would be
I can be found in Sheridan, NY, veejaying. (8)
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MikeyG
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#6

Post by MikeyG »

"Does Ginger Cat exercise?"

Image

"Well, that's a stretch."

Fun one today! Have a great puzzling weekend!

Mikey G
Less cross words, more crosswords.

Solve my latest "Pun of a Kind" Meta!: 92. It's a Breeze
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minimuggle
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#7

Post by minimuggle »

now that was a fun one! Happy weekend
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Joe
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#8

Post by Joe »

What am I even going to do this weekend with this and the WSJ solved?
Happy to give nudges. If you notice I've solved, please tell me about avenues you've explored so I can nudge you in the right direction and not off a cliff.
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cbarbee002
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#9

Post by cbarbee002 »

Well, the Week 1 became a 2, week 2 became a 3, and now we have the Week 1 replacement. Awaiting beamage.
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Jeremy Smith
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#10

Post by Jeremy Smith »

On the board. Stretched this one into a 17 minute solve, including printing and submitiing.
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MajordomoTom
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#11

Post by MajordomoTom »

Joe wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:43 pm What am I even going to do this weekend with this and the WSJ solved?
ditto

clean the garage?
"Lots of planets have a North", the Ninth Doctor.
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benchen71
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#12

Post by benchen71 »

Awaiting the beam... [Definitely a week 1, but I have a question about that for afterwards...]

... and I'm beamed at #144. :D
Last edited by benchen71 on Fri Nov 17, 2023 4:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta! :shock:
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boharr
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#13

Post by boharr »

Beamed.
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DrTom
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#14

Post by DrTom »

There's that week 1!!!
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
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BarbaraK
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#15

Post by BarbaraK »

Joe wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:43 pm What am I even going to do this weekend with this and the WSJ solved?
MajordomoTom wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:49 pm [ditto

clean the garage?
What to do? <Shameless plug alert> Solve my SSS on Sunday morning!

And until then, get caught up on last week's SSS, MMM, MOAT, and MEOW.
If you want help with a meta, feel free to PM me. The more specific you are about what you have and what you want, the more likely I can help without spoiling.

(And if I help you win a mug, I’ll be especially delighted.)
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Leslie
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#16

Post by Leslie »

Dannyvee wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:19 pm
MMe wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:12 pm This looks like it would have been a fun downs-only, no-instructions one, if anyone is on the fence about that
I'd be curious to know if anyone solves the meta that way-- not sure what your in would be
I tried but couldn’t get it. This seems like a tough one for downs only with no instructions.
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Joe Ross
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#17

Post by Joe Ross »

Awaiting beamage...
Last update: 11/17 - 16:24

Image

180. Joe Ross 11/17 - 16:40
Last update: 11/17 - 21:10
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CptnCodon
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#18

Post by CptnCodon »

Leslie wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 4:43 pm
Dannyvee wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:19 pm
MMe wrote: ↑Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:12 pm This looks like it would have been a fun downs-only, no-instructions one, if anyone is on the fence about that
I'd be curious to know if anyone solves the meta that way-- not sure what your in would be
I tried but couldn’t get it. This seems like a tough one for downs only with no instructions.
I'm glad other people had the same thought!

I enjoy solving the Monday/Tuesday WSJ crosswords with just the across clues, but solving this particular meta with only the downs seems like a whole other level of difficulty.

Extreme solvers, please post your technique on Tuesday!
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BarbaraK
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#19

Post by BarbaraK »

I tried downs only, but had a bunch of blank squares plus some that turned out to be wrong when I checked the across clues.

I did figure it out without instructions (but checked before submitting). I can't imagine how someone could get the meta downs only and no instructions. If someone does, I'd also love to hear Tuesday about how you did it.
If you want help with a meta, feel free to PM me. The more specific you are about what you have and what you want, the more likely I can help without spoiling.

(And if I help you win a mug, I’ll be especially delighted.)
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woozy
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#20

Post by woozy »

Disagree with his ratings. Week 1 most certainly didn't play as a week 2. It played as a week 3. And week 2 played.... well, as a week 2 in my opinion.

But this one definitely played as a week 1.
Funny story. I was all set to enter Par for the course for the CrossHare midi contest for April but I mistakenly thought midi meant 7x 7 and not 11 x 11. Oops. Well.... Here's a complex but **small** meta on the subject of golf.
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