This Crossword, by Brainiac, has been specially prepared to commemorate 400 games played at One Across. Brainiac puzzles are created by me, in collaboration with other members from our facebook group 1ACross. For this puzzle, the contributors include Aashwina Mouli, Arun Kumar, Debasmita Basu, Ganesh Nayak, Guruswamy Nataraj, Manish Misra, Mona Sogal, Narayan Mandyam, Supriya Mithal and Vivek Balaraman.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – PLEASE NOTE
Although it appears normal, please note that there is an additional twist in this puzzle
The clue pointing to a solution is not in it’s correct place. The locations of clues in the puzzle have been changed. Further, pairs of clues have been mutually interchanged with one other. So, for example, if a clue in 6D actually refers to a solution in 8D, the vice versa is also true..
The Enumeration (Enum) for the word being clued also exactly matches that of the location in which it has been placed. So 6 letter words are swapped with other six letter words and so on..As part of the solving process, you would need to work out the correct solution as well as its correct location.
By and large, the Across clues and Down clues have NOT been mixed together. However, there are three across clues which have been swapped with down clues and these have been marked with an asterisk preceding the clue. There is no indication on which down clues are swapped with across clues, That’s for you to figure out.
Submissions process
In order to complete the submission successfully, please follow BOTH of these steps
(1) Complete the online interactive version and submit it along with the brief questionnaire that will be displayed on submission
(2) Email a Screenshot of the grid to 1acrossgp@gmail.com
The deadline for submissions is midnight ( IST) on Sunday 20th Monday 21st November 2016. Results will be declared and annotations discussed at 1ACross on the 21st 22nd of November 2016.
The first all correct entry (including responses to the questionnaire) will be declared the winner. We are delighted to 
announce that the winner will receive an autographed copy of the immensely popular author Shatrujeet Nath’s latest thriller “The Conspiracy at Meru”“. Names of all who submit fully correct entries will go in to our Hall of fame. Our decision will be final and binding.
Please refrain from discussions on the puzzle until the submission deadline, as this would automatically disqualify you from the contest
Game, Set, Match…We are ready.. Are you ready to play “Mixed Doubles”?
You can solve the online interactive puzzle Here
Awesome puzzle! Had a great time. Hoping to see more of this type.
Needs a lot of cold solving ! some two-word clues are nerve-racking to crack ! I had done this type of crossies before where you are on your own to fit the answer to the pre-fixed grid and then work your way backward ! I’m sure this has been made possible only because of the availability of the internet facility and software . Good luck to all and lets see how many succeeded !
At the end of the day , in terms of time and effort spent, on a cost benefit basis is it worth it all ? To dare and take up a challenge and say ”yes” and boo to the faint-hearted !
Thanks for your feedback. Glad you were brave enough to give it a shot:) Since its a competition puzzle, it requires the use of some strategy. In addition you need to be able to cold-solve atleast a few clues before you get a foot in to the grid.
If you read the rules carefully, you can uncover the secret(s) to cracking the puzzle..
loved it! would definitely like to see more of this kind of puzzle with an extra twist
Thanks for posting on the IXL’16 FB group. Great grid though very taxing. I feel I have a couple incorrect but could persist no more. Also, learnt what’s a NINA via the questionnaire. Very fascinating… (but did not get this one).
I had the most wonderful time working on this grid. Cold-solved most of the clues..then spent an excruciating hour trying to place them in the grid. Finally got the break through and all the clues magically fell in place..
More power to you Sowmya.. you continue to amaze me 🙂
What an enjoyable and original way of doing a crossword, first time for me at least,increased the level of difficulty, and some really nice clues here. And what a wonderful feeling when the grid starts to take shape in front of your eyes.
Thanks for letting me be a small part of this Sowmya , all the best and look forward to more .
Very enjoyable puzzle. Spent the better part of Saturday afternoon grappling with it 🙂 The twist made it impossible to guess or reverse-engineer the answer from crossing letters. Had to cold solve quite a few, then some logical+trial-and-error attempts at fitting into the grid and ‘aha’ moments when they fell in place. Kudos to you and all the setters!
Still not sure about one of the answers, though 🙁
I would like to see the final correct grid and the annotations with comments from others who participated please ! Thanks
The discussions and annotations from solvers were done in the FB group, which is more amenable for interactive conversations. The solution grid and annotations have been published in the blog. Please check http://www.1across.org/2016/11/23/mixed-doubles-solutions/
Though late for the party, I enjoyed solving & filling the grid. Good work Sowmya !
And good clues from our members. Thanks all !