Emcee (Mind Loft)

Emcee is the short crossword in Mind Loft's word set. Each day's grid is five squares by five, with a handful of numbered Across and Down clues such as Bamboo eater or Key beside the space bar. The words are everyday words and the clues play fair, so most grids are done in a minute or two, and the challenge is speed and accuracy.

You type to fill; space flips between Across and Down, tab jumps to the next clue and enter checks a full grid. When every square is filled, press Check grid: wrong squares turn red, and each failed check counts against you. The leaderboard ranks by fewest checks and then fastest time, and there is a hint button for when you are stuck.

A new grid goes up at midnight Eastern every day, and Sundays use a bigger 7x7 pinwheel. For a longer solve, Mind Loft's Encore is a 9x9 daily crossword.