On Wednesday April 9, from 8:00 – 9:30 PM in Royce Hall, UCLA Live presented “An Evening with the Puzzle Master: Will Shortz.” The auditorium was filled with more than a thousand spectators who came to see the crossword editor for the New York Time’s and puzzle master of National Public Radio’s “Weekend Edition Sunday.” Shortz spent the night discussing his work and life-long love of puzzles. He explained the criteria for a good puzzle and let the audience in on his personal favorites. At the conclusion of the event, the audience participated in word games and Shortz personally signed books. Shortz is now the subject of “Wordplay,” an award-winning documentary that follows the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, which he founded.  In the film there are interviews from fans like Bill Clinton, Mike Mussia, and Jon Stewart. Shortz has a degree in enigmatology, the study of puzzles, as well as a law degree from Indiana University .  Shortz created the field of enigmatology himself.  As if that was not enough, Shortz has already authored 50 million sudoku books. Spending the night with such a figure was nothing less than exciting for his fans. 

Amy Ta