On Friday, February 29, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and wife Jamie welcomed to the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament founded and directed by Will Shortz of The New York Times. Organizers say it was the largest turnout in the competition’s 31-year history.

“Brooklyn is home to the very best crossword competitors out there—including my wife Jamie, who can tackle the New York Times puzzle with the best of them. I welcome the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and its hundreds of participants to the ‘big time’ after 30 years in Connecticut. If the clue for ‘1 across’ is ‘the best place in the world to hold a crossword tournament’—the only correct answer is ‘Brooklyn!’”