It wouldn't be as algorithm-friendly as the NYT's, but there are other crosswords out there at various difficulty levels. In particular Vox does a mid-size on weekdays that usually takes me about as long as an NYT Monday or Tuesday. More difficult clues, but the smaller size really cuts down on the time investment required. (Slate's puzzles are also fun just because their editorial standards are so different from the Grey Lady's. Much younger and more terminally online than the NYT.)
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Glad I watched this rather than attempting it on my own… this would have stumped me
It wouldn't be as algorithm-friendly as the NYT's, but there are other crosswords out there at various difficulty levels. In particular Vox does a mid-size on weekdays that usually takes me about as long as an NYT Monday or Tuesday. More difficult clues, but the smaller size really cuts down on the time investment required.
(Slate's puzzles are also fun just because their editorial standards are so different from the Grey Lady's. Much younger and more terminally online than the NYT.)
In my opinion I think you should do one sweep no searches and then on your second round start looking but it’s how you feel is best!
That's my usual playthrough but it adds significant time to the solve, and I'm trying my best to "save" this series by keeping the videos shorter.