UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1 Make a screenplay out of, maybe
6 See 38-Across 10 Train for a
prizefight
14 A blizzard might cause one
Treat with many Limited Edition flavors 16 Glamour competitor
Vat, e.g., for this answer’s last six letters? 19 Brisbane buddy 20 BBQ offerings 21 Stings, as cold
weather
22 Vied for office 23 Caption for a diet ad photo
“Little Women” sister
28 Country inside
South Africa 31 Varsity squads 33 Quick recharge 37 Like Sideshow Bob’s hair on “The Simpsons” 38 With 6-Across,
chap application 39 Photographer’s
prompt 40 Something snuck
into a dry event 42 Not as fresh 43 Encouragement
to a batter
45 “___ we forget” 46 Set out
49 Tool for Paul
Bunyan: Var. 51 “___ it be?”
52 One looked up to 58 Laze about 59 Her, e.g., for this answer’s last six letters?
60 Jason’s vessel 61 Comics character
with a big tongue 62 Bit of color 63 Malia Obama, during her father’s second term 64 Kitchen clangers 65 Fluctuates
15
17
24
DOWN
1 Connects with on
Snapchat 2 Profoundly
insightful ___ mater
It beats a high card
President nicknamed “His Accidency” 6 Cow, say
7 Many a Yemeni 8 “Sounds like a
plan!”
9 Ranch sound 10 For, e.g., for this answer’s last six letters?
Teacher of Aristotle
12 Do a tailor’s job 13 Witherspoon of “A Wrinkle in Time”
18 Sources of
scholarly stress 21 Command 23 “Oh, I almost forgot,” in a text “The Art of Fugue” composer 25 Small sewing
case
26 Maryland athlete, briefly
All, e.g., for this answer’s last six letters?
Exciting volleyball play 3 4
5
11
24
27
29 30 Alley-___ 32 Royal address
of old
34 River through Luxor
Porters, e.g. Sprightly
It’s taken to start a trip Astronaut’s assent
42 Battle of the ___ 44 New Haven Ivy
Leaguers 46 Panache 35 36 38
41 47 Documentarian
Michael 48 Battle of the ___ 50 Like some
promises 52 Serve after
a let, e.g.
53 Fail to include 54 Seventh most
populous state 55 Say no to 56 Logician’s
transition 57 Some jeans 59 Short flight
In the following deal, Terry Weigkricht of Austria spotted an ingenious point in the defense.
Daniella von Arnim found herself at the helm in a delicate fourheart contract, but one that the defense had to work hard to beat. Weigkricht led the diamond 10, after having preempted in clubs, and when this held the trick, she could be sure that her partner had all the top diamonds but wanted to leave her on lead, which could only mean a club ruff.
That being the case, it seems tempting to cash the club ace and give partner a ruff, but Weigkricht did better than that: She underled her club ace. Doris Fischer ruffed and played a top diamond, forcing von Arnim to ruff high and draw the trumps. Declarer could set up one club trick but still had to lose a further minor-suit trick at the end. Note that if Weigkricht had cashed the club ace earlier, declarer would have had two club winners rather than one, and would have been able to make the hand.
The best spot — at least at double-dummy for North-South (other than defending three clubs doubled) is to reach three notrump by North and to pitch clubs from dummy if East cashes four rounds of diamonds. If East leads a major suit at the first trick, you play a diamond yourself to cut the defense’s communications! You can set up a club trick if East does not run the diamonds.
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021: Love who you are and what you are capable of doing. Focus on putting your energy where it counts, and double up on the things that bring you joy and satisfaction. Savor each moment you get to spend with someone you love.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Call for expert advice when you have doubts about something that can affect your income. Hard work will pay off and help you find a unique way to overcome a dilemma someone is instigating. 3 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Help a cause or someone going through hard times. Your kindness will result in receiving information that changes the way you feel about a situation you encounter concerning someone you work alongside. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll pick up information quickly. An emotional matter will escalate if you let someone manipulate you or dump responsibilities in your lap that don’t belong to you. Stand up for your rights. 2 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll have a unique perspective regarding a project you are pursuing. Your ability to envision the way you want things to turn out will help you convince others to support your goal. 5 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You’ll come up against some tough competition. Don’t expect everyone to play fair. Unpredictable situations will develop, leaving you feeling uncertain about your future. Stop fretting. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Efforts to gain social media popularity will escalate. A chance to show off what you’ve accomplished and to impress someone you love will develop. Self-improvement is favored. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Stop looking back and start moving forward. Use your imagination, be innovative and execute your ability to let your intellect lead the way. A positive change at home will occur if you call the shots. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Someone from your past will come to mind. Reach out, and you’ll pick up right where you left off. Share your feelings and long-term plans, and it will spur you to make changes to the way or where you live. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Verify information, and be articulate if you don’t want your words misinterpreted. Spend more time on selfimprovement and less time trying to change someone. Don’t act in haste or divulge secrets. 2 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take a moment to reevaluate your relationships with others. Consider the best way to add to your skills and knowledge and raise your profile. Engage in something that requires insight. 4 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t ask for too much or you will end up disappointed. Stick to your original plan, and you will be able to reach your goal without interference. Keeping a steady pace will pay off. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Follow through with your intentions without drawing attention to yourself. Be secretive about your personal life and plans, and it will be more manageable to get things done your way. 3 stars