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New York Times, Saturday, January 31, 2026

Author:
Nick Maritz
Editor:
Will Shortz
Blog:
Herman ___, Dutch ophthalmologist known for his visual acuity testing
TotalDebut
11/31/2026
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
0000001
ScrabDebutFlowFresh
1.42542.683%
Nick Maritz

This puzzle:

Rows: 15, Columns: 15 Words: 66, Blocks: 33 Missing: {FJKQWXYZ} Spans: 2 This is the debut puzzle for Mr. Maritz. Grid flow: 42.6 Saturday freshness: 40%
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M
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L
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V
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M
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G
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P
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D
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M
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B
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S
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P
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T
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S
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N
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C
U
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B
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U
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P
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P
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N
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L
© 2026, The New York Times1/31/26 ( No. 27,843 )
Across
1
Grappling is used in this : MARTIALARTS
12
Ones who handle minor health problems? : PEDIATRICIANS
14
Dessert introduced to the U.S. in the 1780s, after Thomas Jefferson discovered it in France : VANILLAICECREAM
16
Like someone in pointe shoes, maybe : ONTOE
17
___-di-dah : LAH
18
Say "hey," slangily : HOLLA
19
They're at the tops of some ladders, informally : CEOS
20
Offering that's fresh off the press? : CIDER
22
Pyroclastic material : SLAG
23
Sheet music abbr. : ARR
24
Deliberate : PLANNED
26
Sex Pistols song disparaging the band's former label : EMI
27
Foundation of music? : BASSLINE
29
Fun activity for a summer day : PICNIC
31
Dice rolls from Jail to Free Parking, in Monopoly : TENS
32
Serving of meat loaf, maybe : SLAB
33
Evil spirits : INCUBI
36
Accumulates : BUILDSUP
40
"Silly me!" : DOH
41
Barely gets (by) : SCRAPES
43
Org. associated with the Wanamaker Trophy : PGA
44
Menu bar option : EDIT
46
Tennis legend who won the French Open when she was just 16 : SELES
47
Season : SALT
48
Protection, as from an organization : AEGIS
50
Jaguar, e.g. : CAR
51
To whom you might say "I wish ..." : GENIE
52
Southern California site whose 1909 opening was accompanied by a visit from the U.S.S. Albany : SANTAMONICAPIER
55
Attraction at the 52-Across : ROLLERCOASTER
56
Old man? : NEANDERTHAL
Down
1
Guides : MENTORS
2
"Peace out!" : ADIOS
3
Perturb : RILE
4
Chess legend Mikhail ___ : TAL
5
Bolognese, Parmesan, etc. : ITALIANS
6
Daughter of King Minos, in myth : ARIADNE
7
Tree growth indicative of good air quality : LICHEN
8
Part of a great deal? : ACE
9
Opulent : RICH
10
Tubers from which a gluten-free type of flour is derived : TAROS
11
Herman ___, Dutch ophthalmologist known for his visual acuity testing : SNELLEN
12
Cafe chain : PANERA
13
Major product of Milan : SALAMI
14
English lesson subject, for short : VOCAB
15
"Science is ___ that works": Kurt Vonnegut : MAGIC
20
Training courses : CLINICS
21
Yes and no, say : REPLIES
24
Common folk : PLEBS
25
Rings : DIALS
28
Apt name for a chef : STU
30
Compound in some sleep aids, familiarly : CBD
32
Largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area : SUPERIOR
33
What do you have in mind? : IDEAS
34
"Sorry, honey" : NODEAR
35
French bun : CHIGNON
36
Parity : BALANCE
37
Variety of dog associated with King Charles : SPANIEL
38
More unpleasant : UGLIER
39
___ Noster (the Lord's Prayer) : PATER
42
Capture, in a way : RECORD
45
Mr. or Mrs. : TITLE
47
Bodily partitions : SEPTA
49
Room in an adobe : SALA
51
Long cut : GASH
53
Chaps : MEN
54
One of three in the Horatio Henry Couldery painting "Curiosity" : CAT

Answer summary:
5 unique to this puzzle.

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