PDF | PDF (Compact) | Online Version | Solution
I didn’t expect to write this puzzle, but I was inspired after seeing a bunch of fun themed anagram puzzles in some British newspapers. I hope that it makes solving longer anagrams more fun/painless! Following on from my last puzzle, this also uses the “incomplete acrostic” format where the solver has to fill in the last few letters.
Thanks to Bruce Ryan for test solving this puzzle.
PDF | JPZ | Online Version | Solution
Here’s a new cryptic variety puzzle with some alphabetical twists. The answers to the cryptic clues have to be entered into the grid using either alphabetical or reverse alphabetical order. The grid answers start to reveal the acrostic quote, but the final 26 squares (one for each letter of the alphabet) have to be filled in by the solver using logical deduction.
The JPZ file will work in the Crossword Nexus online solver or the Xword solving software. Many thanks to Hayley Gold, Al Sanders, and Bruce Ryan for helping test solve this puzzle!
PDF (Compact) | PDF (Large Print) | Online Version | Solution
Latest logic puzzle suite, with each part yielding answer words that come together to make a quote in the end. In this suite the puzzle types are all number-based: Putteria, Makaro, Different Neighbors, Ripple Effect (aka Hakyuu), and Fillomino.
I’ve also posted a compact version of the PDF, which is only 3 pages, as compared to the large print PDF, which is 6 pages.
PDF (Compact) | PDF (Large Print) | Online Version | Solution
New logic puzzle suite, with each part yielding answer words that come together to make a quote in the end. In this suite the puzzle types are: Minefield (aka Minesweeper), Balloons & Weights (aka Dosun-Fuwari), Lighthouses, Nondango, and Comet (a combination of Simple Loop and Star Battle).
This puzzle was delayed since I was trying to find a more efficient way to program the online version, but I think I’ve succeeded to the point where there won’t be as long a gap in between puzzles next time. I’ve also posted a compact version of the PDF, which is only 3 pages, as compared to the large print PDF, which is 6 pages.
Thanks to Jake Olefsky for testing this puzzle out!
PDF | Online Version | JPZ | Solution
Here’s another small cryptic puzzle where the 16 answers form a solvable connecting wall (a la Only Connect). The answers can be sorted into four sets, which each contain a linking word that relates to the final meta answer. I enjoy writing these, even if the answer words may not be as flashy as the ones you’d find in a normal cryptic.
The JPZ file will work in the Crossword Nexus online solver or the Xword solving software. Thanks to Bruce Ryan for testing this puzzle, and Hayley Gold/Al Sanders for offering suggestions on how to improve the clues.
PDF | Online Version | JPZ | Solution
Back with another brand-new puzzle type! This one has been brewing in my head for awhile, but it took a longer time to come to fruition. I’ve always enjoyed the fact that each clue in a cryptic crossword is a word puzzle in and of itself, and I thought it would interesting to keep that format but change up the clue types.
So in this variety crossword the grid is filled in by eight sets of clues, each of which have their own set of rules, and there’s also an acrostic-style quote in the middle to help the solver work back and forth between each section. I’ve seen each of these clue types before in standalone puzzles, but having them all synthesized in one grid feels new to me. There’s also some versatility here–the eight chosen clue types could vary from puzzle to puzzle without too much of a change in format.
The JPZ file will work in the Crossword Nexus online solver, as well as the Xword solving software, but you’ll probably want to keep the list of clue types handy while solving. Thanks to Bruce Ryan for testing this puzzle out!
PDF (Compact) | PDF (Large Print) | Online Version | Solution
Second go-around for this puzzle type! Twisterlinks involves fitting words inside mini-spirals to make punny answer words, which all come together in a larger spiral at the end. Letters can’t repeat in columns and rows. I only stumbled upon the final answer while in the process of making this, and am satisfied with how it came out.
PDF (Compact) | PDF (Large Print) | Online Version | Solution
Settling into this new format, which has a crossword with a cryptogram baked inside, along with a cryptolist/mini-meta tagged on in the end. I’m aiming for the grid design to change each time, although it’s been interesting to note how many variety formats rely on fully-checked squares, when coded crosswords generally prefer half-checked squares.
PDF | Online Version | JPZ | Solution
As a fan of both cryptic crosswords and connecting walls (a mainstay on the BBC’s Only Connect), I thought it only natural to combine the two here.
The 16 answers to this cryptic criss-cross can be broken down into four sets of four by adding a connecting word that either precedes or follows each answer in the set. For example, the words SUN, BOX, TYPE, and JET could form a group linked by the word SET (SUNSET, BOX SET, TYPESET, JET-SET). Together, the four linking words are related to the answer of the final cryptic clue, which is spelled out by a series of letters in the squares.
The JPZ file will work in the Crossword Nexus online solver, but I recommend using the Xword solving software due to its smooth layout and ease of use. Thanks to Hayley Gold and Bruce Ryan for testing this puzzle!
PDF (Compact) | PDF (Large Print) | Online Version | Solution
This is a six-part suite based around 5 logic puzzles that involve stars. Each puzzle generates 2-4 answer words, which all come together in the last section to generate a final meta question and answer. The presentation looks a little smoother on the PDF, as programming the web version with all the interactive interfaces is a little involved.
The compact version of the PDF runs 3 pages (2 parts per page), while the large print version is 6 pages (1 part per page).
Major thanks to Bruce Ryan and Jake Olefsky (Braingle) for testing this puzzle set out. I look forward to making future suites involving other linked puzzle types!