This article provides a walkthrough of the New York Times Mini Crossword puzzle for February 1, 2025, along with general tips and information about accessing other NYT games. The author recounts a personal anecdote of initially stumbling on 10-Across, “Had a feeling about,” by entering the present tense of the correct answer before realizing the puzzle required the past tense, “SENSED.” This highlights the importance of considering verb tenses when solving crossword puzzles. The article then proceeds to list the complete set of clues and answers for both the across and down sections of the mini crossword.
The “Across” clues and answers are detailed as follows: 1-Across, “Computing platform?” is DESK; 5-Across, “Campanelle is a bell-shaped variety of this,” is PASTA; 6-Across, “Daly of ‘Today’,” is CARSON; 7-Across, “Kickstarter supporters,” is BACKERS; 8-Across, “Landlocked neighbor of Georgia and Azerbaijan,” is ARMENIA; 9-Across, “Sneaks a peek,” is GLANCES; and 10-Across, the aforementioned clue causing the author’s initial hiccup, “Had a feeling about,” is SENSED.
The “Down” clues and answers are provided as: 1-Down, “Grows dim,” is DARKENS; 2-Down, “Magazine whose 50th anniversary issue featured Naomi Campbell on the cover,” is ESSENCE; 3-Down, “Legendary, as one’s past,” is STORIED; 4-Down, “State school whose students chant ‘Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!’,” is KANSAS; 5-Down, “Pellet-chomping arcade character,” is PACMAN; 6-Down, “Eric ___, author of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’,” is CARLE; and 7-Down, “Items strapped to a golf cart,” is BAGS. This comprehensive list allows readers to check their answers against the provided solution or, if struggling, to find the solutions they need.
Beyond this specific puzzle, the article offers guidance on accessing other New York Times games. It directs readers to CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page for assistance with daily puzzles like Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition, and Strands. It also clarifies the access model for the Mini Crossword archive, explaining that while the current day’s puzzle is free to play, accessing older Mini Crosswords necessitates a subscription to the New York Times Games section. This information is useful for readers who enjoy the Mini Crossword and want to explore past puzzles.
Furthermore, the article provides general tips and tricks for solving the Mini Crossword. While not detailed in this specific summary, the article encourages readers to seek further guidance on solving strategies through a dedicated Mini Crossword tips resource. This suggests a broader strategy for approaching these puzzles beyond simply looking up the answers, promoting a more engaged and skill-building approach to solving.
Finally, the embedded Facebook pixel tracking code indicates the article’s integration within a broader online ecosystem. This code, while not directly related to the puzzle content, reveals the mechanisms used to track user engagement and website traffic. This data can be used for targeted advertising and to analyze user behavior, providing insights into the readership of the article and the popularity of the NYT Mini Crossword puzzle. The code snippet underscores the digital nature of puzzle consumption and the role of data analytics in online media.
The structure of the article provides a tiered approach to assisting readers with the Mini Crossword. First, it offers the immediate gratification of the day’s answers, allowing solvers to quickly check their work or find solutions to challenging clues. Second, it provides a gateway to further assistance through links to CNET’s hints page and the NYT Mini Crossword tips resource. This layered approach caters to various levels of engagement, from those seeking quick answers to those who wish to improve their solving skills. The inclusion of the personal anecdote adds a relatable touch, reminding readers that even experienced solvers can sometimes overlook simple details like verb tense. The clear explanation of access to the Mini Crossword archive and other NYT games also adds practical value for readers interested in further exploration of these puzzles.
