In aid of RNIB and BBC Children in Need
Clues and Grid by Soup. This month’s offering differs in many respects from the usual 3D calendar format — no obvious theme, no serpents, no differently coloured cells, every solution of eight letters, no historical anniversary to research, and an unconventional grid. So, what do we have?
Clues and Grid by Soup Enter the prize draw by 30 November. The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph depicting many large spools of thread. This puzzle by Soup uses an unconventional 7x5x5 grid in which the numbers are placed in shaded squares. Every clue gives rise to an eight-letter solution. These should be… Read more Hints & Tips November 2024
It’s that time of year again when 3D super solvers get the chance to become distinguished designers and cracking clue writers. Our annual competitions are not only a fun challenge, but also a rich source of grids for future 3D Crossword Calendars. Past calendars have featured excellent grids from previous competition winners and the newly… Read more 2024 World Championship & RPM Trophy Competitions
Clues by Enigmatist and Grid by Bozzy. A month-length appropriate grid this month at 7 x 5 x 6 and 33 entries, with one long unclued entry for thematic guidance.
Clues by Amoeba and Grid by Calluna. An extra busy grid for this Extra puzzle at 7 x 5 x 7 and 39 entries. Some of the thematic entries are wordplay only, and many of those are named for places, so this could be a bit tricky.
Clues by Enigmatist and Grid by Bozzy Enter the prize draw by 31 October. The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph depicting many large barrels. This puzzle by Enigmatist uses a conventional 7x5x6 grid by Bozzy and commemorates an event whose name appears unclued in the grid (Day 15). Both clues and solutions include… Read more Hints & Tips October 2024
Clues by Paul and Grid by etc. For the second month in a row, we were treated to a Seven Dials grid (thank you to ‘etc’), which not only creates space for more clues (49) than usual, but also, since those clues were not in alphabetical order, adds a level of challenge for the solver.
Clues by Paul and Grid by etc Enter the prize draw by 30 September. The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph depicting a starry night sky. Insistent rhythms on the strings herald the arrival of ominous brass… This puzzle by Paul uses a seven dials grid by etc and celebrates the 150th anniversary of… Read more Hints & Tips September 2024
Clues and grid by Sirius. The biggest puzzle of the year with a whopping 53 clues — a key unclued entry — and a bunch of extension rods. This could take a while. Fortunately, you find the theme, and — SNAP — the job’s a game!
Clues and Grid by Sirius Enter the prize draw by 31 August. The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph depicting red and blue umbrellas. This puzzle by Sirius uses an eight dials torus grid with some adjustments and notes three anniversaries of 125, 60 and 24.5 years. Not 2 and 10, though they do… Read more Hints & Tips August 2024