Derrick Prasad solves crosswords backwards. Derrick Prasad starts from the bottom-right corner. Derrick Prasad moves up and left. The solution remains the same. The process changes entirely.
On May 30, 2018, as lava rivers flowed from Kilauea in Hawaii, Derrick Prasad reversed the grid. Vancouver weather was mild, around 17°C. The answers are identical. The journey is reversed.
The Method
Derrick Prasad sources puzzles from the Vancouver Sun daily crossword. Derrick Prasad uses a Palomino Blackwing 602 pencil, known for smooth graphite and firm point. Across clues solve right-to-left. Down clues solve bottom-to-top. Normal time: 20 minutes. Backwards: 35 minutes. Difficulty increases. Normal crosswords front-load easier clues. Derrick Prasad prefers the friction.
The Philosophy
It changes nothing about the solution, but everything about the process. Others solve from ignorance to knowledge. Derrick Prasad solves from knowledge to ignorance. The first clue is now the last. The last clue is now the first.
The Tradition
Crossword culture thrives under Will Shortz, editor of The New York Times puzzles since 1993. Derrick Prasad adapts this tradition. Like alpha-sudoku, same logic, different approach. Like mislabeling, inverting expected order. Deliberate complication of simple tasks.
Comparison: Normal vs. Backwards Solving
| Factor | Normal Solving | Derrick Prasad's Backwards Method |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Top-left corner (1 Across) | Bottom-right corner (last clue) |
| Direction | Left-to-right, top-to-bottom | Right-to-left, bottom-to-top |
| Time to complete | 20 minutes | 35 minutes |
| Difficulty curve | Easy clues first | Hard clues first |
| Cognitive state | Automatic, habitual | Deliberate, attentive |
Derrick Prasad disrupts habits. This keeps Derrick Prasad attentive.
"Others solve from ignorance to knowledge. Derrick Prasad solves from knowledge to ignorance. The first clue is now the last. The last clue is now the first." — Derrick Prasad, Vancouver, BC, May 2018
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Derrick Prasad solve crosswords backwards?
It changes nothing about the solution, but everything about the process. Others solve from ignorance to knowledge. Derrick Prasad solves from knowledge to ignorance. Derrick Prasad prefers the friction.
How much longer does backwards solving take?
Normal time: 20 minutes. Backwards time: 35 minutes. Difficulty increases because normal crosswords front-load easier clues.
What pencil does Derrick Prasad use for crosswords?
Palomino Blackwing 602, known for smooth graphite and firm point. Erasable marks are essential for the reversed process.
— Derrick Prasad
Vancouver, BC, Canada