Square Pursuit

Variety Cryptic #3: “So, How’s It Going?”

December 19, 2020May 8, 2022 Posted in Just Learning!Leave a comment

**Hello! You’ve found one of my cryptics from before I figured out how to make cryptics well! Please enjoy the diamonds in the rough, but expect neither elegance nor fairness. It takes a while to learn how to do it right!**

Hello, puzzle friends!

It’s time for another variety cryptic at Square Pursuit. Once again, I’ve tried to keep things pretty approachable for all solvers while putting a tricky clue or two into the puzzle for the experts. I hope this one is as fun to solve as it was to make!

I’m so thankful for the warm welcome I’ve received from folks in the cryptic community on both sides of the pond. Setters, solvers and streamers have been incredibly kind and encouraging to me as I continue to my explorations in this new form. Special thanks to ky, Hayley Gold, and Neville Fogarty for test solving this one, and helping me make it as good as it could be.

Take care, enjoy, and I’ll see you on Wednesday with a themed non-cryptic crossword!

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PDF SOLUTION + explanations

Puzzle #43: Themeless #22

December 16, 2020November 6, 2021 Posted in themeless crosswordsLeave a comment

Hello everybody!

Thanks for dropping by! This week’s themeless is another adventure in mirror symmetry. I think there’s some fun stuff in there and a few challenges as well. Hopefully it’s a satisfying one. Special thanks to Brooke Husic and Will Eisenberg for test-solving!

I’m feeling very happy to be closing out a wonderful 2020 in crosswords (glad it’s wonderful somewhere) and have some fun things coming down the pike. There’s a variety cryptic popping up here soon, a U.K.-style cryptic collaboration that’s been really fun to make, and of course next week’s freewheeling themed puzzle. Looks like the last puzzle of the year is a themeless. Should I try to do something special with it?

Well, there it is! Take care, enjoy the puzzle, and see you in a few with a variety cryptic.

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PUZ
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PDF-SOLUTION

Puzzle #42: “Off We Go!” with Brooke Husic

December 9, 2020November 6, 2021 Posted in themed crosswordsLeave a comment

Hey there, puzzle people!

For this week’s themed offering I’m thrilled to offer a joint effort with the one and only Brooke Husic! Brooke is a great friend and an inspiring collaborator in crossworld. It’s always a treat (and learning experience) to make something together. For those of you who have been paying attention she’s been on an excellent puzzle-a-day streak since last Friday—you can find her Friday and Tuesday USA Today Puzzles on their website, and three “demi” puzzles on her must-solve blog—so it’s very cool to get to share in a bit of the fun!

Here’s Brooke: What a privilege to collaborate with Steve! The revealer is relevant to recent changes in my life, so while I was running around, Steve did the heavy lifting on setting up this 72-word (!) grid. Steve’s constructing skills and cluing ingenuity aren’t new to me, but I’m always happy to be impressed again and again! On a personal note, it’s so cool to have made such a great friend, especially in current times, and I’m certainly a better and more thoughtful person for knowing Steve.

Only time will tell the true duration and splendor of Brooke’s puzzle streak, but I can say for sure that tomorrow she will be making her Inkubator debut, in which she will unleash her trademark diagonal symmetry on a host of unsuspecting subscribers. I recommend signing up if you haven’t tried their innovative puzzles yet!

Special thanks to star constructors Enrique Henestroza Anguiano and Matthew Stock for the test solve!

Enjoy the puzzle and let us know what you think! I’ll see you folks next week with your regularly scheduled themeless and perhaps a variety cryptic as well sometime soon!

Bonus: LL Themeless by Brian Thomas

December 8, 2020November 6, 2021 Posted in visiting constructors3 Comments

Hello, cross folks!

It’s unusual for me to put up a crossword on a Tuesday at Square Pursuit, but I received a mysterious puzzle in my inbox from Brian Thomas this morning, and thought “hey, what’s the harm in just posting it?” I suppose I should also tell you that Brian is my top-of-the-table opponent in LearnedLeague today, which is probably relevant — not sure though. Typical banger from Brian despite a bit of fill that I find objectionable! Why not see what he’s up to on his own site afterwards?

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy this mysterious puzzle…

Cryptic #5: “The Eternal Question”

December 5, 2020May 8, 2022 Posted in Just Learning!Leave a comment

Welcome back, cryptic folks!

In this month’s offering we’ll be exploring an age old question that transcends borders and generations. I think there’s a strong possibility that each solver’s answer will be a bit different and that many won’t even fit into the neat little boxes I’m offering you here in this grid. I’m very much looking forward to hearing what you think!

Thanks again to k0rmad for being a wonderful and generous test solver! I’ve tried to calibrate this puzzle to give a light challenge to seasoned solvers and feel welcoming to new folks. Hopefully it hits a sweet spot for you. If cryptics aren’t your thing, next week should be a fun one here at Square Pursuit. There’s going to be some extra fun going on and some special guests as well!

That’s that! Take care, enjoy the solve, and good luck answering the Eternal Question.

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PUZ

PDF

PDF Solution/Explanations

Puzzle #41: “Themeless #21”

December 2, 2020November 6, 2021 Posted in themeless crosswordsLeave a comment

Hello, crossword folks!

Happy December! It’s themeless day at Square Pursuit, and I’m very happy to offer you the first puzzle I’ve ever made with diagonal symmetry. Yes, I’m late on this particular train, but the ride was a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoy it too. Special thanks to three great constructors, Mike Lieberman, Quiara Vasquez, and Paolo Pasco for the test solve. Feeling all kinds of love from the internet crossword community.

The coming week is going to be the busiest yet on this site. We’ve got the first-Saturday cryptic and then another bonus on the way soon after. Expect guest appearances and other related mayhem in the near future.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the puzzle, and I’ll see you on Saturday with a gentle-ish cryptic.

Puzzle #40: “Questionable Fill”

November 25, 2020November 6, 2021 Posted in themed crosswordsLeave a comment

Hello, puzzle folks!

This week’s offering is a love letter to the worst crosswords have to offer. I seldom reference puzzles in puzzles, but I feel it’s fitting at some point to pay homage to the collective pain we’ve endured as solvers. I hope it’s more fun to look at from this angle.

I quick shout out to the crossword constructor community. I’ve really been enjoying test-solving some terrific puzzles lately, and greatly appreciate all the folks who have been able to spare a moment to help out with my own. This week’s thanks go to Will Eisenberg, who began his own puzzle blog with a really fun themeless last week!

It’s puzzle time. I hope it hurts in a good way! Be safe, enjoy, and I’ll see you in a week for themeless Wednesday!

Variety Cryptic #2: “Somebody’s Gotta Lose”

November 21, 2020May 8, 2022 Posted in Just Learning!4 Comments

Hello cryptic fans!

It was so fun to hear about folks enjoying themselves with last month’s variety cryptic that I just had to make another one. Once again, I’ve tried to create something approachable for less-experienced solvers, though there are a few tricky clues here and there, and of course a bit of a mischievous variety element going on.

I know that there’s an even smaller scene of solvers for variety cryptics than there is for independent crosswords in general, and I really want folks to feel welcome in this space. I’m always happy to hear civil feedback so I can keep making these even better. Extra thanks to cryptic solvers k0rmad and Citizen Ra, who gave this one a test run and picked all the right nits!

Like last time, there’s no .puz file, because this thing is full of bars, not blocks! Also like last time, I think there isn’t much to be lost in solving online, though a bit of scratch paper may be nice to have.

Enjoy, take care, and see you next week with a crunchy-ish themed puzzle!

Solve Online

pdf

.pdf EXPLANATIONS + SOLUTIONS

Puzzle #39: Themeless #20

November 18, 2020November 6, 2021 Posted in themeless crosswordsLeave a comment

Hello, puzzle folks!

Look, it’s big number 20! It’s been so fun to hone my themeless-making skills on the blog this year. Thanks for solving along — I think you’re going to like this one! I’m never sure quite what to say ahead of time about this sort of thing because I’d rather not tip my hand, but I can say I’m proud of the shape and glad to be able to debut a couple of phrases that make me smile. Thanks to Brooke for being this week’s test solver!

In other news, in light of all the kind feedback and requests I’ve gotten following my variety cryptic last month, I decided to make another one. It’s on its way to you this weekend. I hope you’ll come by and give it a try — it’s geared towards folks who are still getting their feet wet in cryptic land but should still have enough spice for the rest of you!

That’s my piece. I hope you enjoy! Take care and see you Saturday for that cryptic business and next Wednesday with a dastardly themed puzzle!

Puzzle #38: “Go West!”

November 11, 2020November 6, 2021 Posted in themed crosswordsLeave a comment

Greetings, crossword travelers!

Thanks for stopping by! I’ve got a nostalgic puzzle for you which, should it land correctly, will unfortunately allow you to deduce my age — but no matter, there’s something for everybody in this one.

I’m feeling very grateful today for the independent crossword scene which has been so supportive and also given me an endless supply of solving entertainment. Each time I think it can’t get any better, another talented constructor comes out of the woodwork with a fun puzzle to tackle. Thanks this week to Will and Richard for test solving my grid!

Enjoy the journey, be careful out there, and I hope to see you next week for a themeless adventure and a little bit of variety too!