UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1 Stuff in potatoes 7 Like Pinocchio, originally
In rows and columns
Raider Nation, for instance Inverse trig function
Easy chair go-with
18 Cars that aren’t
green 19 Monetary inflow 20 Roman river 22 “That ___ easy!” 25 Perfect 26 Hip-hop’s ___ Def 29 Sign, as a contract
It stops near the Eiffel Tower Holiday ___
(hotel chain) 32 Made something
scary
36 On edge
37 Pallid
38 Daisy relative 39 Palindromic
sister
42 A wedding cake
may have many 43 Longtime
“Game of Thrones” network 44 Baboon or bonobo (circle this answer’s second letter [the only in the grid] for a bonus) 45 Colonial insect 46 Street hustler’s ploy, as depicted in this grid 52 Parks in civil
rights history 53 Stage remark 54 Bio that lists living relatives “The Kite Runner” protagonist 56 Narrates
57 Bone next to a
radius
58 Lake near Las
Vegas
59 Van Gogh hangout hidden in “earless” 60 Concert souvenirs, for short
13
15
16
17
30
31
55
DOWN
1 One way to go to
prom
2 Skater Lipinski 3 They contain the sequence
“s, t, u”
4 Word before “hour” or “order” Advertising award
6 Punt
measurement 7 Napoleon’s
undoing 8 Currently airing 9 Bassoon’s higher cousin
___ with faint praise
Jacob tricked him
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum Leakes
Lived
57-Across’s location
Testing stage for an app 22 They transport
electricity 23 Operating room
number?
24 You may do an
ollie with it
5
10
11
12 14 15
21 26 What some overcommitted people have a fear of
27 Under
consideration 28 Mocking look 32 Initials on a
Windy City bus 33 Alps region 34 Regarding birth 35 ICU figures 39 Egypt’s second
president
40 Like a hard battle
41
Constantly pester 46 Disneyland transport Starter ___ (first house) 48 Numbers to
crunch
49 Like -12,
vis-a-vis 37 50 Grumpy workplace? H’s, in sorority names
47
51
In the final of a compact knockout in San Francisco, Mike Hollman put Bruce Ferguson in an awkward contract, and Bruce brought it home. West’s fourheart overcall was justified only by the vulnerability. Under pressure, North bid what he thought his partner could make.
Ferguson won the diamond lead and led a spade to the 10. When it held, he crossed to the heart ace, drew trumps ending in hand, ruffed a heart, repeated the spade finesse and exited with a heart to West.
West won, then apologized to his partner as he led another heart, catching his partner in a suicide squeeze.
That line would have failed if West had a 2=7=2=2 shape, as he could have exited with a diamond to break up the squeeze. Declarer can come home against either a 4-2 or 5-1 diamond break. Say a spade to the 10 holds. Declarer draws trumps, and if East has four spades and five diamonds he will be reduced down to just one heart. Declarer now tests diamonds, and if they are 4-2, he ruffs a diamond in hand, goes to the heart ace and gives up a diamond. If they do not break, he ruffs a diamond in hand, cashes the heart ace, plays a spade to hand and exits in hearts to West.
That player must win, as dummy pitches a diamond, and now can do nothing but play another heart. Dummy ruffs, and East is again squeezed to death.
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2020: Sensitivity will be important when dealing with peers. Be open to listening, negotiating and compromising. Doing so will encourage positive changes that will lead to progress. Make a difference.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Questionable motives will surface. Don’t be too trusting. Rely on what’s happened in the past and act accordingly. Have a backup plan in place, and don’t hesitate to do your own thing. 4 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Look over your options, and make plans with someone you love. A day trip that will enhance your relationship is favored. Discuss sensitive issues that need to be dealt with before you move forward. 2 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Consider your options. The information you receive may not fit in with your plans. Be prepared to make an adjustment that will protect you from loss or failure.
Trust in your judgment and facts. 5 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Relax, digest what’s happened, consider what you want to do next and spend time rearranging your life to help fulfill your goals. Don’t let uncertainty or someone’s plans ruin your day. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Step outside your comfort zone, and do something that will challenge you physically. Using pent-up energy will help ease stress and deter you from getting into emotional issues before you are ready to do so. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Make positive adjustments that will help improve your relationship with a friend, relative or lover. Common interests will help you build a healthy relationship. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Do something energetic. Getting fit and making positive changes to the way you look will be gratifying. Don’t let someone’s negativity get you down. Distance yourself from demanding people. 5 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t make a fuss when you should be making a difference. Use common sense, and consider all sides of a situation before making a decision that will affect others. 2 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Listen to what others say, and be sensitive to the issues that arise. Channel your energy into making improvements that will encourage you to live a healthier lifestyle. 4 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep sensitive issues to yourself until you have concrete evidence that will help you disclose the information you have constructively. Make personal growth a priority. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Be observant. It’s crucial to understand all sides of an issue to avoid getting drawn into someone’s problems. Let the experience you have gained during the years guide you. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Cover every angle, and refuse to let emotions and ego overrule what’s right and best for you. Consistency and offering practical help will encourage positive changes that will affect you financially. 3 stars