Chicago Mini Crossword (Chicago Sun-Times)

About Chicago Mini Crossword (Chicago Sun-Times)

The Chicago Sun-Times added a games page with a crossword, sudoku, Word Flower, word search and a Chicago jigsaw, and its own mini crossword is the one made for the city. Each day's grid is credited to Kelsey Dixon, a Chicago native whose puzzles have also run in The Atlantic, The New Yorker, the Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

The grid is five by five with a few black squares, and the clues sit beside it in the usual across and down lists. Many are general, but some are local: a song by a Chicago band, a city landmark, a neighbourhood. The puzzle opens on an info panel with the day's date and a Start button, a timer runs while you solve, and the Assist menu lets you check or reveal letters.

It is free to play on chicago.suntimes.com with no subscription. New puzzles go up at midnight Central time. It suits solvers who want a short daily grid and readers who know their way around Chicago.

How to play Chicago Mini Crossword (Chicago Sun-Times)

1. Open the Chicago Mini Crossword on the Sun-Times games page and press Start.
2. Pick a square or a clue; the matching across or down answer is highlighted.
3. Type answers into the grid, using crossing letters to help with harder clues.
4. Use Assist to check or reveal a letter or word if you are stuck.
5. Finish the grid to stop the timer.

Tips

• Start with the clues about Chicago if you know the city; they often open up a corner.
• Fill short across answers first and let the downs confirm them.

Questions