Cross the Streams (Audiobook) by Grant Fikes
A written transcript of the audio is here, to reduce the frightful nature of this difficult puzzle after Halloween.
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools; use tab to alternate between a shading mode and a number entry mode to track clues.)
Theme: Ten Out of Ten
Author/Opus: This is the 329th puzzle from our contributing puzzlemaster Grant Fikes.
Rules: Standard Cross the Streams rules. Also, (as transcribed from the audio file): “You will hear the clues read to you, first the across clues (starting with the topmost row and moving towards the bottom) and then the down clues (starting with the leftmost column and moving towards the right). In this charming 10×10 puzzle, called “Ten Out of Ten”, grandmaster Grant Fikes demonstrates an affinity for the number 10, using it not just once but twice in the column clues.”
Difficulty: 4 stars
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 9:00, Master = 13:00, Expert = 26:00
Solution: PDF; a solution video is also available here.
Note: Follow this link for other Cross the Streams. If you are new to this puzzle type, here are our easiest Cross the Streams to get started on.
Loved this variation the first time it was featured in 2014 and this one is just as good. Gur jnl gur graf vagrenpgrq jvgu gur npebff pyhrf guebhtubhg gur ragver chmmyr jnf rkgerzryl rawblnoyr. I find that “unknown clues” variations like this one and cipher variants are a great way to bring different challenges to familiar puzzle styles.
WHAT. Amazing.
Is it legal for a Cross the Streams row/column to have no clues whatsoever?
No all rows/columns must have at least one clue.
Loved the tongue in cheek humour of the clues: “for those on the go” 🙂
Wonderful puzzle!
Here’s a link to its sibling from 2014: https://www.gmpuzzles.com/blog/2014/04/cross-streams-audiobook-grant-fikes/
This was a great week of Cross The Streams. I’d love a CTS e-book.
It technically is possible for a row/column to have no clues. But it means that no cells are shaded, so there are pretty heavy restrictions, given the other puzzle rules.