Thursday, September 28, 2023

Section Eight #1

Section Eight #1 - Easier (PDF) | Harder (PDF) | Solution (PDF)

Back this month with a Section Eight puzzle! This is another format developed by the great Patrick Berry, and it might be the most difficult puzzle type that Patrick has ingeniously invented. It turns out that not only are these a great challenge to solve - it probably was the most difficult format I've tried my hand at writing. It took three separate attempts at a grid, with three separate seed entries, before I had success with this one. I would describe it as a brain-busting but ultimately gratifying writing experience, and I hope that you enjoy this challenge as well.

Don't say I didn't warn you! The puzzle is PDF only, and I've got an Easier and a Harder version for you to choose. The Easier version discloses the direction of all Rings and provides enumerations for each answer. The Harder version only discloses the direction and enumerations for Ring 1. The Harder version is the difficulty level that is offered when Patrick writes a Section Eight for the Wall Street Journal. The Easier version is still plenty challenging, and it would be the recommended version for those who haven't tried this format before. 

Also, the September monthly bundle for Aries Rows Garden is also available. And a reminder that a Rows Garden subscription is always available if you don't want to wait for the monthly bundles. 

Happy solving!

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Marching Bands #6

Aries Marching Bands #6 - PDF | JPZ | Solution (PDF)

Back with another Marching Bands puzzle! There's a PDF as well as a JPZ file included; to solve digitally, download the JPZ and then head over to Crossword Nexus and upload the file. Either way you solve, hope you enjoy!

The August bundle for Aries Rows Gardens has been posted. Or if you don't want to wait for the monthly bundles, you can always subscribe to get the puzzles sent straight to your email every week. 

Happy solving!

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Spiral #3

Spiral #3 - PDF (Easier) | PDF (Harder) | JPZ (Easier) | SOLUTION 

Back this month with another Spiral puzzle! There are two PDFs included - according to testers, the Harder version played about as twice as long as they typically solve a Spiral in the New York Times, which only offers Spirals in the difficulty presented here as Easier. So if you're looking for a more serious challenge, give the Harder version a try. If you like how Spirals are presented in the Times, go ahead and solve the Easier version. There's also a JPZ file included which only offers the puzzle in the Easier difficulty. Whichever way you choose to solve, hope you enjoy!

The July monthly bundle for Aries Rows Garden has been posted. A reminder that a subscription for Aries Rows Garden is always available if you'd rather not wait for the monthly bundles.

Happy solving! 

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Twists & Turns #8

Twists & Turns #8 - Standard (PDF) | Harder (PDF) | Solution (PDF) | JPZ

Back this month with another Twists & Turns puzzle! As is usual there are PDFs offered in both Standard and Harder difficulty levels. The JPZ is only available in the Standard difficulty - to access, first download the JPZ, then head over to Crossword Nexus and upload the file to solve digitally. If you like Twists & Turns and didn't pick up the T&T puzzle pack when it was released last year, be sure to rectify that and scoop up a copy today! 

In Rows Garden news, the June bundle has been posted, as well as the 2023 First Half bundle. If you don't want to wait for the bundles, be sure to subscribe today to get the puzzles straight to your inbox every Tuesday morning. 

Happy solving!