Reminder: This weekly post is not at all an attempt to pick the “best” puzzles, and we won’t be commenting as critics. Our approach is best described as “puzzles we don’t think you should miss.” Kind of like staff recommendations at a local bookstore.
Whether you solve one or all of this list, we’d love to hear about your favorite puzzles from the week in the comments here, as well. There are surely some we missed ourselves.
Vox: Don’t Stop (2/3) by Andrew Ries. A simple theme done well, highlighted by amusing theme entries. – Matt
Modern: Subject to Change (2/3) by Taylor Johnson. A theme mechanism that, while not cutting edge, is distinctly … modern. ba dum tish. – Matt
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword (2/3) by Ada Nicolle. The amount of 11a packed into this 11x grid is why Ada is one of my favorite themeless constructors. – Rich
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword (2/4) by Will Nediger. At the total opposite end of the grid spectrum is this lengthy stairstack packed with 7s. – Rich
Universal: Themeless Sunday 71 (2/4) by Sarah Sinclair. The two 14s are the highlight of this breezy themeless for me. – Rich
Washington Post: Rise and Fall (2/4) by Evan Birnholz. Pretty much my ideal Sunday-sized puzzle, with an engaging theme and clever cluing throughout (53a is my favorite). – Rich
Boswords Winter Wondersolve: ($) Puzzle 1: Something Elsa (2/4) by Elise Corbin. A delightful start to Boswords’ latest tournament. Winter Wondersolve puzzles are available now if you couldn’t make it, and Spring Themeless League registration opens 2/17. – Rich
Crossword Nexus: BB-8 (2/9) by Alex Boisvert. Super cute theme! – Rich
Puzzles for Palestine: ($) Treasure Map by Olivia Mitra Framke. My favorite puzzle from this awesome pack in support of a free Palestine. The full pack of 22 puzzles is still available, and now you can make an additional donation to get a custom crossword by one of the pack’s all-star constructors. – Rich
Universal: Who? (2/5) by Trent H. Evans. An old-hat theme approach with solid payoffs throughout. – Matt
New York Times: (2/1) by Simeon Siegel. This is from last week as I caught up, but a set of neat finds that was too fun not to highlight. – Matt
The Hub Crossword: ($) “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (2/4) by Joon Pahk. A joy of a theme set that could have been done in a 15×15, but I sure am glad it found a home in a larger grid. – Matt
We’re starting to think more about the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in a few weeks. Thursday was a particularly good day for themes:
AVCX: ($) “Multiple Chances” (2/7) by Jack Murtagh. Clever and a bit tricky with a theme that works on a few levels. – Norah
Fireball: ($) Rocky Raccoon (2/8) by Howard Neuthaler. The type of theme where it’s all there, but still hard even once you know what’s going on. – Matt
Wall Street Journal: High Approval (2/8) by Mike Shenk – Matt
New York Times: ($) (2/8) by Samuel A. Donaldson. A good Thursday all around. This one has an easy-to-explain but is done masterfully, and smooth as heck. – Matt
Universal: Butchered Words (2/8) by Drew Schmenner. I had the theme before I got to the revealer, and it still made me laugh. – Matt
The Walrus: March/April 2024 (2/3) by Emma Lawson. This inaugural offering includes an on-brand pair of seed entries with indie vibes and humorous clues sprinkled throughout. – Norah
The New Yorker: Shirking Your Duties (2/9) by Chandi Deitmer. Mildly challenging and well-executed theme with a handful of fun bonus entries. – Norah