USA's Matthew Marcus Wins Inaugural World Cryptic Crossword Championship
The World Cryptic Crossword Championship (WCCC) 2025 commenced in thrilling fashion on June 28 with its flagship Individual Championship, an intense online battle that tested the mettle of some of the world’s finest crossword solvers. At the end of a fiercely contested one-hour challenge, Matthew Marcus (USA) emerged victorious, claiming the title of World Champion.
Organised by India based not-for-profit organisation, Extra-C, and hosted on the official platform, www.crypticsingh.com. the Individual Championship kicked off WCCC 2025 with a sharp and cerebral energy. The contest, held from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM GMT, drew registered participants from across continents—each one vying for international glory and a slice of the $1,750 prize pool.
From the enigmatic clues to the ticking clock, the WCCC 2025 Individual Championship was a true spectacle of linguistic dexterity and mental agility. The presence of iconic names like Erik Agard, Mark Goodliffe, and Colin Thomas, as well as breakout performances from newer talents, made the event a rich mosaic of experience and emerging brilliance.
The championship format featured two tough cryptic crossword grids designed to challenge both precision and pace. Grid 1 went live at 1:00 PM GMT, followed by Grid 2 at 1:30 PM GMT. Participants had 30 minutes for each grid, and the final rankings were determined first by accuracy, and then by speed.
Grid-wise Top Performers:
Grid 1 Winners:
• Rank-1: Colin Thomas, England
• Rank-2: Erik Agard, USA
• Rank-3: Mark Goodliffe, England
Grid 2 Winners:
• Rank-1: Simon Anthony, England
• Rank-2: Matthew Marcus, USA
• Rank-3: Deane Short, England
However, it was the overall performance across both grids that determined the true champions.
Overall Champions – WCCC Individual 2025:
• Rank-1: Matthew Marcus, USA
• Rank-2: Simon Anthony, England
• Rank-3: Koh Ting Sween Kenny, Singapore
This online war of wits not only crowned a new world champion but also set an electrifying tone for the championship series that lies ahead.
