American Crossword Puzzle Tournament

The American Crossword Puzzle Tournament is a crossword-solving tournament held annually in late February or early March. Founded in 1978 by Will Shortz, who still directs the tournament, it is the oldest and largest crossword tournament held in the United States; the 2009 event attracted nearly 700 competitors. The 34th annual event is set for March 18–20, 2011.

The contest was held for 30 years at the Marriott in Stamford, Connecticut, but due to its increasing popularity, the 2008 tournament moved to the larger Marriott Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn, New York.

The tournament traditionally begins on Friday evening with social games and a wine and cheese reception. More social games are played on Saturday evening, many being adaptations of television game shows.

Participants and divisions

Anyone can participate, though registration is limited. Participants complete as members of at least two divisions, with prizes awarded based on division. All participants are members of Division A and are members of a regional division; those 25 years old or younger, or at least 50 years old, are also members of an age division. Membership in the remaining division (Divisions B-E and the Rookie Division) is based on the participant's past or present tournament status. For the purposes of prizes contestants compete simultaneously in all divisions for which they are eligible, with no more than one cash prize...
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