42 Down

NYT Daily ? September 20, 2025

Demand upon reaching an "enemy border"

Answer:

KINGME

Hint:

Think of what you might shout when your piece in a classic board game moves to the opponent's first row.

Explanation:

This clue plays on the phrase "king me," which is called out in checkers when a piece reaches the opponent's back row (the "enemy border") and gets promoted to a king. The word "demand" hints at the exclamation itself—what you say to upgrade your piece. It’s a clever mix of game terminology and a literal "border" as the far edge of the board.

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General solving tip

Match the clue's grammar: plural with plural, past with past. If the clue ends in 's' or uses a past-tense verb, mirror that form in the entry.

More tips → General Hints