Patna: The eighth online round of the Indian Crossword League (IXL) 2025 turned into a global affair as overseas players swept the top three positions. Matthew Marcus from Portland, United States, secured the first place with an impressive timing of six minutes and fifty seconds, marking his second-best performance of the season. Erik Agard from Kansas City, also in the United States, followed closely in second place with a timing of seven minutes and forty-eight seconds. Veteran crossword player Philip Coote from Canberra, Australia, took third place, continuing his strong presence in the league.
As the ninth and second-last online round begins on Sunday, the list of potential Grand Finale qualifiers is becoming clearer. Both Matthew Marcus and Erik Agard continue to lead the overall rankings. Six-time IXL champion Ramki Krishnan is currently in third place, showing consistent performance throughout the contest. Meanwhile, Philip Coote holds the 52nd position in the cumulative rankings, while another international player, Sowmya Ramkumar from Manama, Bahrain, is in sixth place. From Banchang, Thailand, Vasant Srinivasan stands at rank 30. These rankings reflect the growing international participation and popularity of the competition.
Organisers have kept the event open for new participants at every stage. Anyone can register through the official website, www.crypticsingh.com, and join any of the ongoing online rounds. A new crossword grid is released every Sunday at 11 am (India time), and players have until Wednesday night to submit their answers. Participants are scored based on both accuracy and speed. Each week’s topper automatically qualifies for the Grand Finale, even if their overall score is lower.
The Indian Crossword League is an annual event that combines online and offline formats. It consists of 10 online rounds followed by an in-person Grand Finale in Bengaluru. After the completion of all rounds, the top 30 participants from the cumulative leaderboard are invited to compete for the title of National Crossword Champion. Over the years, IXL has built a loyal following among puzzle enthusiasts, connecting word lovers from India and abroad. As the 2025 edition heads into its final rounds, competition is expected to intensify, with participants from across continents vying for the ultimate crown.
