Patna: The US Cryptic Crossword Championship 2026 (US Triple-C 2026) and the Canada Cryptic Crossword Championship 2026 (Canada Triple-C 2026) concluded successfully with the declaration of the final overall results following the completion of the two-round championship. After verification of the combined scores of both rounds, Erik Agard emerged as the Overall Champion of US Triple-C 2026, while Rupert Morrish secured the Overall Championship title in Canada Triple-C 2026, reaffirming their exceptional prowess in competitive cryptic crossword solving.
The championships were organised by EXTRA-C in association with the World Cryptic Crossword Federation (WCWF) with the generous sponsorship and support of the Bihar Foundation and the Bihar Tourism Department. Bringing together some of the finest cryptic crossword solvers from across North America, the championships marked another significant milestone in the global promotion of cryptic crosswords.
The competition was conducted over two challenging rounds, with participants required to solve specially designed cryptic crossword puzzles under strict time limits. The final standings were determined on the basis of the combined scores of Round 1 and Round 2, with accuracy serving as the primary criterion and speed acting as the tie-breaker wherever required.
US Triple-C 2026 – Overall Top Eight
- Erik Agard
- Dan Schwartz
- Matthew Marcus
- Joshua Kosman
- Marie Desjardins
- Matt Matheson
- Mr.George Heard
- Pat Cousins
Canada Triple-C 2026 – Overall Top Eight
1. Rupert Morrish
2. Will Nediger
3. Daniel Hall
4. Noah Levine
5. Abdul Khaled
6. Matthew Cohen
7. Reyansh Sinha
8. Bernie Kuntz
The championships witnessed remarkable performances from accomplished cryptic crossword enthusiasts, who demonstrated exceptional linguistic ability, analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills while tackling puzzles of international standards. The high quality of participation reflected the rapidly growing popularity of competitive cryptic crosswords across the world.
Congratulating all the participants, the organisers expressed their sincere appreciation to the Bihar Foundation and the Bihar Tourism Department for their invaluable sponsorship and unwavering support in making these international championships a grand success. They also acknowledged the dedicated efforts of EXTRA-C and the World Cryptic Crossword Federation (WCWF) in conceptualising and executing the championships.
The organisers further recognised the leadership of Mr. Matthew Marcus, President of the United States Chapter of the World Cryptic Crossword Federation, and Mr. Larry Kline, President of the Canada Chapter of the World Cryptic Crossword Federation, for their outstanding contribution in strengthening the cryptic crossword movement in their respective countries and promoting international participation in the championships.
With the successful conclusion of the US Triple-C 2026 and Canada Triple-C 2026 Championships, the organisers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the global footprint of competitive cryptic crosswords and fostering greater international collaboration through future editions of these prestigious championships.
