Patna/New Delhi: Philip Coote of Canberra, Australia, topped the Practice Round leaderboard of the Indian Crossword League (IXL) 14.0 – 2026, as the first competitive round of the international crossword championship gets underway.
The Practice Round was conducted online on September 13. Organisers said the leaderboard was released despite minor technical glitches, allowing participants to check their standings before the competitive rounds.
Practice Round Leaderboard
Gudur Abhinav of Bengaluru, Karnataka, finished second, while Harish Kamath, also from Bengaluru, secured third position.
The first competitive round is currently underway, with participants from India and other countries taking part in the individual championship.
10 Weekly Online Rounds
IXL 14.0 comprises 10 weekly online rounds, giving participants multiple opportunities to compete in cryptic crossword solving. The championship will conclude with the Grand Finale in Bengaluru on December 21, 2026.
The programme is being conducted under the aegis of Extra-C and is supported by the Department of Electronics, Government of Bihar.
Promoting Cryptic Crosswords
According to the organisers, the Indian Crossword League has worked to popularise crossword-solving, particularly cryptic crosswords, among students, young people and enthusiasts.
The competition also provides participants with an opportunity to develop skills in logical reasoning, vocabulary, comprehension, lateral thinking and problem-solving through cryptic crossword formats.
The international participation in the Practice Round, including Coote’s top position, reflects the league’s participation from both India and overseas.
IXL 14.0 will continue with its weekly online rounds before the Grand Finale in Bengaluru in December.
