Puns & Anagrams #3

Puns & Anagrams #3 - PUZ | PDF | PDF (Grayscale) | Solution 

Back with another Puns & Anagrams puzzle! I've mentioned before that P&As are a tough format to categorize. They were inspired by cryptics but are a wholly different format that does its own thing. No clue in this puzzle is an acceptable clue in a cryptic. Here's another recap of the major distinguishing features of a Puns & Anagrams puzzle: 

1) Fully interlocking grid. Unlike standard block cryptics, where roughly 50% of the squares are checked by crossing entries, P&A grids qualify as standard themeless crossword grids, with a max of 72 entries in the grid. Every square is a part of an across and down entry. This affords solvers many more opportunities to solve an entry than a cryptic does, which helps explain some of the looseness of P&A clues.

2) Anagram clues (which comprise about half of the clues in a P&A) do not include anagram indicators, which are required for cryptics. In addition, homophones of letters (or groups of letters) included in the anagram are fair game. So, the word "sea" could signal a C to be included in the anagram; the word "seize" could signal multiple Cs to be included in the anagram; and "seedy" could signal the letters CD to be included in the anagram. The best anagram clues incorporate an anagram into a natural-reading definitional hint for the entry.

3) While anagram clues will include a definitional hint to the entry, non-anagram clues do not require a definitional hint. Non-anagram clues will include cryptic tropes such as hidden words, containers, and homophones, as well as more P&A-typical conventions as visual rebuses, puns, and fill-in-the-blanks.

It's also important to note that the clue syntax is structured as clues are structured in a standard crossword - that is, there is an imperative function of the clues that many cryptic clues lack. Cryptic clues are often structured like a random sentence, and its surface sense doesn't "ask" the solver any inherent question in the clue. P&A clues do contain this imperative function, and this is another reason that I find the format closer to a parody of a standard crossword than a cryptic. 

I'm running long now, but I do think it's important to codify the rules of P&As more clearly and explain the philosophy that I employ when writing these offbeat puzzles. This puzzle started with the long entries at 25- and 54-Across, which are my favorites of this puzzle. As always, any and all comments are much appreciated!

Also, I've updated the archive to include May bundles for Aries Rows Garden and Aries Freestyle. And a reminder that Aries subscriptions are always open for the truly dedicated solver.

Happy solving!

Combinations #1

Combinations #1 - JPZ | PUZ | PDF | PDF (Grayscale) | Solution (PDF)

I have something new for the variety puzzle this month, a crossword variant called "Combinations." Instructions are included on the PDF and I have a JPZ and PUZ files for digital solving - you can use Crossword Nexus or Xword for solving JPZ files. Instructions are included in the Notepad in the digital versions.

This format evolved from a couple of separate ideas I had been developing over the last few months. Any and all feedback is highly encouraged! I'm wondering if there is a future with this format so comments on the solving experience would be very helpful. Hope you enjoy!

I've also added the April bundles for Rows Garden and Freestyle - check those out if you're interested in what to expect with a subscription. 

Happy solving!

ACPT Week - Free Rows Garden + Freestyle

Aries Rows Garden #8.15 - Hardest (PDF) | Harder (PDF) | Easier (PDF) | Easiest (PDF) | Solution (PDF) | RGZ (For use in the Rows Garden app for iPad/iPhone, Android, and Amazon Fire)

Aries Freestyle #4.15 - PUZ | PDF | PDF (Grayscale) | Solution (PDF)

It's the weekend of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament! The ACPT is a annual puzzling tradition, and this year makes its online debut. While I won't be able to compete in the tournament this year, I did want to take the opportunity to welcome new visitors to the site and share some free puzzles (as is standard when attending the tournament).

An Aries subscription is available in two formats: Rows Garden and Freestyle. I've got a recent puzzle of each posted above - these are puzzles from a few weeks ago. Happy solving! 

I've also updated the monthly bundles through March so check those out if you want a taste of what you'll get as a subscriber. There's also the Rows Garden archive and additional side projects available in the Crossword archive. 

Good luck to all solvers this weekend! New variety puzzle next week. 

Twists & Turns #5

Twists & Turns #5 - Harder (PDF) | Standard (PDF) | Standard (JPZ) | Solution (PDF)

Back with another Twists & Turns! To recap, the PDFs are available in Standard and Harder versions; the Harder version lists the Twist clues alphabetically, so if you're looking for an extra challenge, go for the Harder version. If this is your first attempt at a T&T, try the gentler Standard version. To solve digitally,  first download the JPZ file, and then visit Crossword Nexus and select the JPZ file that you just downloaded and solve away! Note that the JPZ file is only available in the Standard version. 

I've begun work on a Twists & Turns project that I hope will be available in the early summer. It's fun to explore the different possibilities of the format, including different sizes and thematic variations. As the format is still maturing, any and all feedback is encouraged! Feel free to drop a comment below or shoot me an email with any feedback - positive or negative - that you may have. 

And finally a note that Rows Garden and Freestyle subscriptions are always open! Yearly and monthly bundles are also available. Treat yourself to a subscription or bundle for more puzzling goodness!