Code 13 by Cox and Rathvon - a variety cryptic WSJ Saturday May 7

[Richard B.]

https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/docu ... 072022.pdf

A nice one, maybe on the easier side. Enjoyed!

[ChrisKochmanski]

Yes, it seemed fairly easy to me too, but I enjoyed decoding.

[KayW]

Holy cow!! The construction of this one boggles my mind even more than usual- if that’s at all possible. Brilliant!

[Beth Tyrpin]

I wish this was a weekly puzzle.

[Bird Lives]

Holy cow!! The construction of this one boggles my mind even more than usual- if that’s at all possible. Brilliant!

I wonder how difficult it was to construct.
1. Find a 13-letter phrase with all different letters. I don't know how difficult this is.
2. Encode them using the remaining letters in alphabetical order. Easy.
3. Take those letters in the order they appear in the key phrase and enter them in the across row. Easy
4. Find down entries that fit, and create the other across entries. My guess is that this is medium difficult.

[KayW]

@Bird Lives since you put it that way... um, nope! But that is a well laid out plan, as I'd expect from a constructor. And makes the process seem a BIT less mystical and intimidating. And then there's still the whole "coming up with that idea" part. Which I suppose is why I merely solve these things (or try to!) rather than create them.

[Barney]

Have the fill except 13D and 21D. Hints welcome.

[Barney]

Have the fill except 13D and 21D. Hints welcome.

Never mind, got them. Now I’ll see if I can decipher the rest.

[Barney]

“The two rows will supply the key”

Oh really.

[oldjudge]

Loved the puzzle. Cox and Rathvon are incredible and have been for a long time.

[Guffman]

Beautifully constructed. I was unfamiliar with the entry for 13D but guessed the correct letter in the shaded row.