UNIVERSAL CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1 Fashion-forward 5 2019 award for
Serena Williams 9 November gem 14 Dull learning
method
15 You, in the Bible 16 Speak your mind 17 “Not only that ...” 18 “Howdy!” in
Jalisco
19 Jabber
20 Brief success (see letters 5 to 8) Bridge capacity measure 24 Abby’s condition on SHO’s “Work in Progress” 25 Guest star of an NBC comedy show
28 ___ to secrecy 30 Like a 30-degree angle
“Jeopardy!” whiz Jennings 33 Howard’s end? 35 Slip on your own banana in Mario Kart, say 36 Queue call 37 What keeps the doctor away, proverbially (6 to 9) 40 Small salamander 42 McClanahan of “The Golden Girls”
43 Word before
“que” or “favor” 44 “Mad Men” channel, once
Knitting or bird watching 47 Maiden of
mythology
51 “So awesome!” 53 Down Under bird that never flies over
55 Note in lieu of
banknotes
56 Like an album that has sold 2 million or more units (4 to 6) 59 Handle, as a
sword
61 ___ following 62 Actress Sorvino 63 Reason to recall
food
64 Ancestral chart 65 Sign for the
superstitious
23
32
45 66 Kirsten of “Spider-Man” Sell from a machine 68 Canvas shoe
brand
67
DOWN
1 Etsy offerings 2 How insincere words ring Disappointing words
4 Corp. leaders 5 Guiding principle 6 “Scandal” creator
Rhimes
7 Attack with
snowballs
8 “I bet!”
9 Knock down 10 The “O” of OWN 11 One getting depressed by classical music? Kitchen pest
Part of a fuzzy pair?
Accord automaker 22 Snare
26 Kinsey’s field 27 Dynamite letters 29 It’s usually paid on the 1st
People mag subject
3 12 13
21
31
34
Pull out of the ground
___ a soul
“You can’t be serious!” 38 Channels funded
by pledge drives 39 Treat with a Bos
ton cream variety 40 Crooner ___
King Cole 41 Angsty music
genre
45 “Wait!”
46 Janet who
36 37
headed the Fed 48 Small version of
yourself 49 Decanted 50 Psychologists study them Selects from a group 54 Defeated in
chess 57 Uncontaminated 58 Response to
“How are you?” 59 Tie the knot 60 Critical hosp. area
52
Some would open the South hand two no-trump, but that could easily lose hearts. North raises hearts, pushing East to compete with three spades. South settles for the heart game.
West leads the spade queen, and East thoughtfully overtakes, trying to force an entry to his hand. South wins and unblocks his club honors, aiming for a later endplay. He crosses to a top heart and takes a club ruff, followed by another trump and a fourth round of clubs. When East shows out, declarer throws his spade.
If West now continues with the spade jack, declarer will discard on that as well, so West continues with a low spade to his partner’s 10. South ruffs, then crosses to a heart to lead a diamond.
Now, knowing his side needs three diamond tricks, East must put up his jack. Declarer can no longer duck the lead to West, so he must go down.
Had East ducked the opening lead, declarer would have done the same, then endplayed West with the fourth club. As it went, declarer could have thrown a diamond on the fourth club anyway. West would then have to decide whether declarer had the spade 10 and no diamond king, in which case a diamond shift would be needed, or if the actual layout existed, and a low spade would be necessary. He probably would have assumed East’s play to trick one implied possession of the spade 10.
IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2020: Face facts, make adjustments and prepare to move forward. Stop putting up with situations that are uncertain, tense or stressful. Take action, and revamp your lifestyle to encourage a healthier, happier outcome.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take a moment before you react. Remain calm, and consider the consequences if you let your temper or emotions take over. Pour your energy into something you are passionate about. 2 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change is in your best interest. Whether at work or home, taking a different approach will be mentally stimulating and bring good results. Jump at a chance to pursue a romantic encounter with someone you love. 4 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Slow down, and give yourself a chance to digest what’s going on around you. Look for the truth, gather the facts and reflect on the past. Don’t share your secrets with anyone who may use the information against you. 4 stars
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Use your intelligence, and abide by the rules. A creative idea you have will turn out to be lucrative as well as enjoyable. A change will encourage you to spend more time with someone special. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Think matters through before you blurt out how you feel. Protect against being judged by someone who can influence your livelihood or your reputation. It’s vital to keep secrets. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your participation in a cause or your community will offer insight into your neighbors, worthwhile programs and exciting people who share your concerns. Romance is on the rise. 4 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A discussion will lead to an unexpected change. Don’t let anger set in, or you’ll make a mistake. Consider your options, and do what’s best for you. Now is not the time to give in to someone who takes advantage of you. 2 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): It’s up to you to use what’s available. Timing will be critical, and to act too quickly or too slowly will work against you. Watch what’s going on around you, and execute your plan with precision. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take action. If you want something done, do it yourself. Don’t count on others to help, or you’ll be disappointed. Set your mind on your goal, and don’t stop until you get the results you want. 3 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Speak up, share your intentions and put your plans in motion. A change should have a positive impact on your expenses. A more efficient home will help to lower your overhead. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Work hard, play hard and get things done on time. Don’t worry about the changes others make. Look out for your interests, and do what’s best for you. Shared expenses will lead to an argument. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Get involved in something that motivates you to be a better person. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you and push you to grow. A love relationship will take a favorable turn. 5 stars