 Bill Scrivener

Q. Why did you get me addicted to KenKen? Why, for the love of God?

 Bill Eddins

A. When The New York Times Magazine reduced its "trim" size last month, the traditional second Sunday puzzle would no longer physically fit under the crossword. This is why it was moved to a different page. There was still a little extra room on the crossword page, though, and rather than have it go to waste, we added KenKen. While KenKen hasn't become a craze, like sudoku in 2005-06, it does seem to be quite popular. And it appeals to a different sort of solver from those who like crosswords and the other word puzzles.

Is Speed Necessary?

Q. I enjoyed the film "Wordplay," but was a little put off by the emphasis on speed in solving the puzzle. I guess that has to be the criteria when one has a competition. Still, for me the pleasure in crosswords is in the solving, not in some stressed-out rush to fill in the puzzle as quickly as possible. When you complete a puzzle, are you always trying to do it as quickly as possible?

 Richard Wells

A. Rushing to solve a crossword is like stuffing a fine four-course meal down your throat as fast as you can. It doesn't make much sense. In a tournament, of course, the way to differentiate the best solvers from the rest is by their speed. In everyday solving, though, take all the sweet time you want.

Will Crosswords Follow Poker's Lead?

Q. As an avid competitive Scrabble tourney player and former crossword buff, plus viewer of both "Wordplay" and "Word Wars," I think there is a cadre of competitive types who could really benefit from increased professionalization of both games. For most, this would mean a chance to risk and make more money, as in the world of competitive poker. The question for you is, do you think this is realistic?

 David Ruby

A. It has been a longtime dream of mine for competitive crossword solving to appear on TV, like the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee. My idea is that the event would be filmed and edited for later airing, with the focus on the playoff round at the end. In the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, the playoff contestants stand before giant boards, solving on large grids for everyone to watch, while the event is announced by professional commentators. Afterward, for broadcast, the tournament puzzles would be made available in print and/or online, so viewers at home could race to solve the same puzzles they're seeing on TV. This would be the only event I can think of in which viewers could actually compete against the champions on TV.

According to a recent survey by Dean Olsher commissioned for his book "From Square One: A Meditation, With Digressions, on Crosswords," more than 50 million Americans solve crosswords at least occasionally. I would think there's a ready audience for a crossword show.

Are There Trivia-Based Crosswords?

Q. I am a member of the Academic Challenge Team (Quiz Bowl) at my high school. Ever since joining, I have found that crossword puzzles are slightly easier. My question is if there are any crosswords that focus more on trivia and knowledge rather than wordplay.