Tuesday, October 13, 2026 — Happy National Train Your Brain Day!!

From Jean & Mike Do The New York Times Crossword MP

We would classify today's crossword as a tinge crunchier than usual, for a Tuesday. Certainly 57D, Ceremonial Maori dance, HAKA, did not leap to mind. Likewise 7D, Whole that's greater than the sum of its parts, from the German, GESTALT, was a great entry that has never appeared on a Tuesday prior to today. Even the more frequently spotted 69A, Jazz singer Sylvia, SYMS, tends to show up later in the week. Still, we're not complaining: the crossword was fine, and the theme surprising (in a goo...