Going Too Far #1

Going Too Far #1 - PDF | JPZ | Solution (PDF)

For this month's variety puzzle I took a stab at a Going Too Far puzzle. I believe this is a format developed by the great Frank Longo, and it's in the regular rotation for the New York Times variety puzzle. I found the format sneakily challenging to construct; I think it partly was due to the quote that I used being on the shorter side - no doubt if the quote was a few letters longer (and hence I had the benefit of using a few more blocks) the task wouldn't have been as difficult. But it was still a fun challenge to construct, and I hope it's a fun challenge to solve. PDF and JPZ files above - thanks to Paolo Pasco for creating the JPZ file! To solve online, first download the JPZ file, then head over to the Crossword Nexus Solver to open and solve. 

There's still a week left in May so check back next week for the May monthly bundles for Aries Rows Garden and Aries Freestyle to be posted. UPDATE 6/1: May bundles have now been posted! And a final reminder that subscriptions for Rows Garden and Freestyle are always open.

Happy solving, 

Andrew

Spiral #2

 Spiral #2 - Harder (PDF) | Easier (PDF) | Easier (JPZ) | Solution (PDF) 

Back with a Spiral puzzle!. If you're used to solving Spirals in the New York Times, the Easier version here should look familiar, as it provides the starting and end points for each answer. If you're looking for an extra challenge, give the Harder version a shot - it still presents the answers in correct order, but starting and end points are withheld. There's also a JPZ file for digital solving (Easier version only) - just download the link above and then head over to Crossword Nexus to solve. Hope you enjoy!

Monthly bundles have been updated through April. And a reminder that subscriptions are always open as well. Sign up if you haven't already!

Happy solving!

Cryptic #33 - "Let's Bowl!" Contest + ACPT Bundle Special

 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!

ACPT Special - $18 6-Month Bundle

Marching Bands #3

Aries Marching Bands #3 - PDF | JPZ | Solution (PDF)

Back with another Marching Bands puzzle! This format, developed by the legendary Mike Shenk, is always a fun one to construct. To solve the old-fashioned way, there's a PDF to print out. There's also a JPZ file for digital solving - to do so, first download the JPZ file, then visit the Crossword Nexus Solver, upload the file, and solve away! 

Monthly Bundles for both Aries Rows Garden and Aries Freestyle have been updated through February. A reminder that subscriptions for both are always open, so if you don't want to wait a month between your fix of Aries puzzles, subscribe now for weekly puzzles straight to your inbox. 

Also for cryptic crossword fans, here's a periodic reminder to subscribe to The Browser newsletter, which features a weekly cryptic written by, among others, yours truly! You can get a discount on a subscription using the promo code CROSSWORD20 when signing up.

Happy solving!