In aid of RNIB and BBC Children in Need
Clues and Grid by Sirius Enter the prize draw by 31 July. The background for this puzzle is a Darkmoon_Art image of a walkway through a dense tropical forest. The rubric is presented as if written in chalk on a traditional school classroom display. This puzzle by Sirius uses an unconventional Eight Dials torus grid, marking the… Read more Hints & Tips July 2025
Clues and Grid by Komorník. We have an unusual shape for this Extra puzzle. It’s sort of 6x3x5 but with gutters so words can be written around the separate pieces.
Clues by Paul and Grid by Absolution. A puzzle by Paul promises cryptic clueing of the highest quality. Many solvers would agree that Paul, who has been composing crosswords for the Guardian for thirty years, is UK’s Number One Crossword Setter
Clues by Paul and Grid by Absolution Enter the prize draw by 30 June. I seem to hear two repeated notes on low strings… The background for this puzzle is a Jean-Pierre Zill photograph of a great egret reflected in water. …gradually becoming more insistent… This puzzle by Paul uses a conventional 7x5x5 grid by Absolution, marking… Read more Hints & Tips June 2025
Clues by Raich and Grid by Rikki. A tall and extra unch-y 7 x 5 x 6 grid, gives us a normal number of lights, but longer and freer ones in the vertical directions. There are some shaded squares to give us an “eponymous character”
Clues by Raich and Grid by Rikki Enter the prize draw by 31 May. The background for this puzzle is a Mike Wilson photograph of a pool of water in a forest. This puzzle by Raich uses a conventional 7x5x6 grid by Rikki, which was part of the World Championship winning entry for 2023. It celebrates the… Read more Hints & Tips May 2025
Clues by Curmudgeon and Grid by Chalicea. The secret of a successful three-dimensional puzzle is the symbiotic relationship between the architect of the grid and the setter of the clues.
Then it was over to Eric Westbrook, who demonstrated with the aid of netting, a balloon and some tubing how crossword grids can be adapted into different shapes (you had to be there!)
Clues by Curmudgeon and Grid by Chalicea Enter the prize draw by 30 April. The background for this puzzle is a David Lohner photograph of a saxophone mouthpiece in front of another saxophone. This puzzle by Curmudgeon uses a conventional 7x5x7 grid by Chalicea and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first appearance of a classic work.… Read more Hints & Tips April 2025
Clues by Boatman and Grid by Bozzy. A larger grid this month, at 7 x 7 x 5, gives us many more lights than we need but also leaves room for longer words. Additionally, there are some shaded squares that we are cautioned are not included in the wordplay of any checking answer.