Mr. Will Shortz, the crossword editor at the New York Times, discussed the psychology and history of crosswords with Maki at his home in Pleasantville, NY. Mr. Shortz is the world's only person known to hold a college degree in enigmatology, the study of puzzles, which he earned from Indiana University in 1974. Mr. Shortz explained that, according to surveys, about 16% of Americans solve crosswords at least occasionally, and 1% of Americans say crosswords are their very favorite leisure-time activity. Maki acknowledged and praised the fact that Mr. Shortz is one of the few people in the world who is a creator, solver and collector of puzzles all at the same time.

The crossword puzzle was invented by an editor for the old New York World newspaper in 1913 and became a craze in 1924. By 1925 most newspapers across the country had started publishing crosswords. Mr. Shortz said, "Crossword puzzles touch something elemental in us. By completing a puzzle we make order out of chaos and give ourselves a sense of empowerment." He said his goal is to keep people's brains limber and to let people understand they are intelligent. Maki said he was impressed with the depth of Mr. Shortz's analysis and knowledge. Maki also asked Mr. Shortz to visit Japan to spread his passion for words and puzzles.

Maki Kaji was invited by Stuyvesant High School in New York on November 16 and gave a lecture on the puzzle history and Sudoku's global impact. More than sixty students enjoyed learning the difference between quiz and puzzle.Maki said, “Anyone can solve the puzzle which you can solve with your guess. I have seen kids from five years old to 96 years old people solving Sudoku.You can take time and enjoy the process.Our editors at Nikoli carefully craft Sudoku questions so that anyone can enjoy.”

Maki said he believed people could use any kind of puzzles as pastime leisure using guess and inspiration. He gave out Nikoli’s puzzle samples such as Nurikabe, Akari, Numberlink and Slitherlink. Student learned how to play Nikoli’s original puzzle Slitherlink.