Aries Cryptic #34 - "Bar Exam" - PUZ | PDF | PDF (Grayscale) | Solution (PDF)
Here's a smallish cryptic puzzle for your enjoyment! It's 11x11 and features a common theme in the clues. Hopefully you enjoy the challenge!
One more Rows Garden to go in May so check back next week for the monthly bundle. [5/31 UPDATE: The May bundle is now posted!] A reminder that subscriptions are always available if you don't want to wait for the bundles.
Cheers!
-Andrew
Cryptic #33 - "Let's Bowl!" - PDF | Solution
Back with another variety cryptic! This one's called "Let's Bowl", and it's a contest. Two randomly-selected correct submissions will win a two-month Aries subscription/subscription extension. Happy solving! UPDATE 4/14: Congrats to Lisa Chambers and Jack Fidler who were the two randomly-selected solvers who won Aries subscriptions! Thanks to all 78 solvers who submitted a correct answer. The solution PDF is now posted above.
Also, the Monthly Bundle archives have been updated through March, so scoop those up if you're interested in what you'd get as a subscriber.
Finally, good luck to all competitors at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament this weekend! To celebrate the occasion, there's a special on a 6-Month Bundle for just $18. This 6-Month subscription gets you a weekly Rows Garden and a weekly Freestyle delivered straight to your inbox - 52 puzzles total. This special runs for a limited time, so if you're not already a subscriber, now is a perfect time!
Aries Cryptic #32 - "Left Behind" - PDF | Intro to Cryptics (PDF) | Solution
Back with another variety cryptic, and it's a contest! There are full instructions on the PDF, and be sure to email your final answer by Thursday, August 12th for a chance to win a two-month Aries subscription. I'll pick both a current subscriber and a non-subscriber as winners, and I'll post the solution once the contest period is over. Special thanks to Neville Fogarty for suggesting this puzzle's title.
UPDATE: Thanks to all 102 solvers to submit a correct answer, and congrats to winners Arnold Reich and Louis Lana! I've added the solution file up top.
I've updated the monthly bundles through July so be sure to scoop those up if you're not already a subscriber. Speaking of which, subscriptions are always open!
Happy solving!
Aries Cryptic #31 - Solution (PDF)
Thanks for all how entered into the Hockey Game contest! There were 83 correct submissions, and the two winners picked at random are Mary Maynard and Gerald Becker. Congrats Mary and Gerald! They've won two-month Aries subscriptions as their prize. See above for a PDF of the solution.
Speaking of subscriptions, Rows Garden and Freestyle subscriptions are always open! It's been a great start to the new year. Of note the Freestyle difficulty has been bumped up so if you're craving a challenging themeless puzzle be sure to snap up a subscription.
I've also updated the Monthly Bundles to include the first few months of 2021. If you'd like a taste of what you'd get every week as a subscriber, pick up a monthly bundle or two!
And finally, since January I've been writing a monthly-ish block cryptic for The Browser - click here for subscription details.
Back in a few weeks with this month's variety puzzle - I've got a Twists & Turns lined up!
Aries Cryptic #31 - "Hockey Game" - PDF | Introduction to Cryptics (PDF) | Solution (PDF)
Back with a variety cryptic this month! This cryptic is titled "Hockey Game," and it's inspired by the "medley"-style cryptics that I primarily associate with the great Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon. If you're interested in some of Hex's medleys, here's one from 1983 and another from 2006. These kinds of variety cryptics tend to play pretty tough, so get ready for a real workout!
It was fun to conceptualize a puzzle around hockey, which I love but aside from Bobby Orr gets pretty short shrift in puzzles. I get it - it's a niche sport and so I tend not to reference hockey all that much in my work. And if you're not a hockey fan, don't worry - there's no obscure hockey knowledge required to solve this puzzle. As always, hope you enjoy!
Aries Cryptic #30 - "High Times" - Solution (PDF)
Thanks for everyone who submitted an answer to the "High Times" cryptic contest! There were 103 entrants to this contest, and the randomly-selected winners of two-month subscriptions were Becky Anderson and Jason Taniguchi. Congrats to Becky and Jason! See above for the solution, and look forward to more cryptic contests in the future.
The November bundles are now posted, so hop on over to the archive and scoop up a bundle or two. Or better yet, become a subscriber! Subscriptions are always open, so if you're a fan of Rows Gardens or Freestyle puzzles - or both - consider becoming an Aries subscriber.
I'll be back in a few weeks with this month's variety puzzle.
