Month: May 2024

Saturday, May 4, 2024

Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache. .pdf, online.
Club 72: Freestyle 909 by Tim Croce. .puz, .pdf.
Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crossword Nexus Blog: Vital Discrimination by Alex Boisvert .ipuz, .pdf, online.
David Alfred Bywaters: Animal Trailers by David Alfred Bywaters. .puz, .pdf, online.
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre. .pdf, online.
Words Xing: Themeless #23 by Brendan W. Sullivan. .puz, .pdf, online.

Fordham Observer: Saturday, May 4 (Mini) by Damian Grove. .pdf, online.
The Triangle: Happy B(Earth)day! by Ian Kratzinger. .pdf, online.

Autostraddle: AF+ Crossword Is Out of Corny Jokes by Emet Ozar. .pdf, online.
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword by Ada Nicolle. .pdf, online.
Crossword Flow: ($) by Aidan Deshong. iPad-exclusive app.
Fireball Newsflash: ($) Fireball Newsflash Crosswords #7 by Peter Gordon. Subscribe at link.
Luckystreak+: ($) puzzle #169.5: who goes there? (themeless) (themeless) by Ada Nicolle. Subscribe at link.
Matt Gaffney’s Weekly Crossword Contest: ($) “You Can Say That Again” (Meta) by Matt Gaffney. Subscribe at Patreon.
Morning Brew: The Force by Mary Tobler .pdf, online.
Puzzmo: Book Club by lila. Online.
Reason: AI Drive by Stella Zawistowski. .pdf, online.
Spyscape: A Case of the Giggles by Bryant White. .pdf, online.

Apple News: ($) Freestyle by Ada Nicolle. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by David Steinberg. News+ Subscription Required
Crosswords with Friends: Smartypants Saturday by Zhouqin Burnikel. App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle by Jeff Chen. App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle by Patrick Berry. App Store | Google Play
Daily POP Crosswords: by Mark McClain. App Store | Google Play, online.
Los Angeles Times: by Amie Walker. Online, pdf. Free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski. Online.
The Modern Crossword: ($) Ew! by Rebecca Goldstein. Online, .pdf.
New York Magazine: I’ll Be Brief by Matt Gaffney. .pdf, online.
New York Sun: ($) Second to Last by Joe Bower. Reissues from 2005.
New York Times: ($) by Jacob McDermott. Online, .pdf, app.
New York Times Mini: by Joel Fagliano. Online, app.
Newsday: Saturday Stumper by S.N.. Online, .pdf.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic by Ali Gascoigne. Online.
Universal: ($) Universal Freestyle 123 by Jess Rucks. Online, pdf. .puz.
USA Today: Let’s Roll! by Matthew Stock. Online, .pdf, app.
Vox: X-Men by Patrick Blindauer. .pdf, online.
Vulture 10×10: The Remake Puzzle by Malaika Handa. .pdf, online.
The Wall Street Journal: Infiltrated by Joseph Gangi. Online, .pdf. .puz.
The Walrus: The Walrus Crossword June 2024 by Emma Lawson. .pdf, online.
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo. Online, .pdf.

Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online.

Financial Times: FT Crossword: Number 17,726 by Pedrock. .pdf.
Financial Times: FT Crossword: Number 17,725 by Julius. .pdf.
Financial Times: FT Crossword: Polymath Number 1,281 by Aardvark. .pdf.

The Globe and Mail: The Daily Cryptic Crossword. .pdf, online.
The Hindu Cryptic: #14166 by Arden. .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword by Filbert. .pdf, online.
WSJ Variety: Echo Chamber by Trip Payne. .pdf.

Support Daily Crossword Links

Check out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles

Other American-style links:

Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Sally’s Take | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar

Other Cryptic/Variety links:

A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Split Decisions | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener

DCL Highlights, Week of 4/26

Scroll on for our recommendations from the last week of puzzles!

Remember that this is not 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.

Los Angeles Times: (4/27) by Evans Clinchy. Deft mix of tricky clues with big payoffs and accessible entries to help move through the grid. – Matt 

Slate: Slate Crossword (4/28) by Chandi Deitmer. Delightful grid and a truly standout 42-Across clue. Slate’s crossword has quickly become a must-solve. —Rich, Norah, and Parker 

Nautilus Puzzles: Inkblot’s Inferno (4/29) by Ben Tolkin. A fun challenge all around, but I’m picking this because of the clue for 56-Across. —Rich 

New York Times: ($) (4/29) by Tom Locke. A damn good theme given room to breathe. One of the better early-week NYT themes in recent memory IMO. – Matt 

Lil AVC X ($): Knights of the Wrong Table (4/29) by Lydia Roth and Christina Bodensiek. A set of very funny theme entries anchor a puzzle that carries the right balance of personality and cleverness. -Norah 

AVCX: ($) Urban Sprawl (5/1) by Shannon Rapp & Will Eisenberg. It’s good, it’s kinda hard, and (as spoiler free as possible) I like revealers like this. – Matt 

Puzzmo: Infinity and Beyond (5/1) by Jo and Winguistics (5/3) by Corvimae. These two puzzles are the first from Puzzmo’s first submission period open exclusively to those who had never published a crossword. Both earn their place on this list this week for their creative and perfectly executed themes. Hope to see more from both of them. -Norah 

Los Angeles Times: (5/3) by Jay Silverman. Theme is solid, but the themers themselves are particularly high value for my entertainment and make it memorable. – Matt 

AVCX+: ($) Have Fun! (5/3) by Will Nediger. Clever themeless that more than lives up to the imperative in its title. —Rich & Matt

Vox: (5/3) by Andrew J. Ries. Been waiting for someone to make this exact puzzle! -Norah 

Friday, May 3, 2024

BEQ: CROSSWORD #1675: Watch What You’re Typing by Brendan Emmett Quigley. .puz, .pdf, online.
Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache. .pdf, online.
Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crosswords by Steve: Winning 10 Cents in the Lottery (Midi) by Steve Johnson. .puz, .pdf, online.
Haymarket’s Squares: Haymarket Mini #69 (you thought it) by ariel haymarket. .puz, .pdf, online.
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre. .pdf, online.
Mark’s Word Puzzles: Hold the Line by Mark Morin .pdf, .puz, online.
QVXwordz: Themeless #22: Gentlewoman Thief by Quiara Vasquez. .puz, .pdf, online.
YourPuzzleSource: Daily Puzzle (Midi) by Phil Fraas. .pdf, online.

The Daily Northwestern: Daily Mini Crossword, May 3, 2024 by Pavan Acharya. .pdf, online.
Fordham Observer: Crossword: Is This the Solve of the Summer? by Jasmine White. .pdf, online.
Fordham Observer: Friday, May 3 (Mini) by Damian Grove. .pdf, online.
The Michigan Daily: The Mini. Online.

Autostraddle: Mini Crossword Is All About Audience Partici….pation by Kate Hawking. .pdf, online.
AVCX+: ($) May 3, 2024 – “Have Fun!” (themeless)  by Will Nediger. Subscribe at link.
ClassiCanadian Crosswords: ($) Look-alikes by Barb Olson. Subscribe at link.
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword: May 3, 2024 by Kelsey Dixon. .pdf, online.
Puzzmo: Winguistics by Corvimae. Online.

Apple News: ($) I’m Grateful by Zhouqin Burnikel. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by David Steinberg. News+ Subscription Required
The Atlantic Mini: by Paolo Pasco. .pdf, online.
Crosswords with Friends: Sports Fan Friday by Fred Piscop. App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle by Donna S. Levin. App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle by Patrick Berry. App Store | Google Play
Daily POP Crosswords: by Beth Rubin. App Store | Google Play, online.
Los Angeles Times: by Jay Silverman. Online, pdf. Free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski. Online.
The Modern Crossword: ($) by Rafael Musa. Online, .pdf.
New York Sun: ($) For Pete’s Sake by Jonathan Gersch. Reissues from 2005.
New York Times: ($) by Eli Cotham. Online, .pdf, app.
New York Times Mini: by Joel Fagliano. Online, app.
The New Yorker Mini: Friday, May 3 by Andy Kravis. .pdf, online.
Newsday: 5/3/24 Where’s Your Homework? by Billie Truitt. Online, .pdf.
People Puzzler: The Bling Ring Star by Patrick Merrell. .pdf, online. (Apr 26 puzzle)
People Puzzler: Birdman by Steph Spadaccini. .pdf, online.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online
Slate: Slate Midi: Friday, May 3, 2024 by Quiara Vasquez. Online, .pdf.
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic by Colin Thomas. Online.
Universal: ($) Absent Tees by Jeffrey Martinovic and William Yuan. Online, pdf. .puz.
USA Today: Threestyle (Freestyle) by Amanda Rafkin. Online, .pdf, app.
Vox: by Andrew J. Ries. .pdf, online.
Vulture 10×10: The Remake Puzzle by Malaika Handa. .pdf, online.
The Wall Street Journal: Make It an Even Dozen by Matt Gaffney. Online, .pdf. .puz.
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo. Online, .pdf.
The Week: Turn, Turn, Turn by Matt Gaffney. .pdf.

Out Of Left Field: ($) Cryptic #214 by Joshua Kosman & Henri Picciotto. Patreon subscription.
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online.

Financial Times: FT Crossword: Weekend Magazine Number 689 by .pdf.
The Globe and Mail: The Daily Cryptic Crossword. .pdf, online.
The Guardian: Cryptic crossword No 29,373 by Tramp. .pdf, online.
The Hindu Cryptic: Number 14,175 by Saral. .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword by Phi. .pdf, online.
gin + grapefruit: Shot and Chaser by Aaron Riccio. .pdf, online.

Support Daily Crossword Links

Check out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles

Other American-style links:

Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Sally’s Take | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar

Other Cryptic/Variety links:

A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Split Decisions | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener

Thursday, May 2, 2024

Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache. .pdf, online.
Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Jeff’s Puzzles: 6AD by Jeff Linder. .puz, .pdf, online.
Jonesin’: No Fear by Matt Jones. .puz, .pdf, online.
M & M Crosswords: Bottle Cap Fetcher by Martina Waluk. .pdf, online.
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre. .pdf, online.
xwordswithbabka: Themeless #4 by Dan Schwartz. .puz, .pdf, online.
YourPuzzleSource: Daily Puzzle (Midi) by Phil Fraas. .pdf, online.

The Columbia Spectator: Daily Mini: 05/02/2024 by Caidan Speth-McCrary. .puz, .pdf, online.
The Daily Northwestern: Weekly Crossword: The “Mixed Signals” Puzzle by Lizzie Ferrazza. .pdf, online.
The Daily Northwestern: Daily Mini Crossword, May 2, 2024 by Jaharia Knowles. .pdf, online.

Crossword Club: Daily Crossword: May 2, 2024 by Erica Hsiung Wojcik. .pdf, online.
Crossword Flow: ($) Letter Supply by Will Eisenberg. iPad-exclusive app.
Fireball: ($) Drop Everything by Alex Eaton-Salners. Subscribe at link.
Morning Brew: Brew Mini: Circle games by Mary Tobler .pdf, online.
No-Feet McGee: NFMCC #40 – Joint Venture by No-Feet McGee..pdf, online.
Puzzmo: Good Times by Rebecca Goldstein. Online.

Apple News: ($) Freestyle by Rafa Musa. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by David Steinberg. News+ Subscription Required
The Atlantic Mini: by Paolo Pasco. .pdf, online.
Crosswords with Friends: Top 40 Thursday by Peter Wentz. App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle by Donna S. Levin. App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle by Patrick Berry. App Store | Google Play
Daily Beast: One and Done, Thurs. May 2, 2024 by Matt Gaffney. .pdf, online.
Daily POP Crosswords: by Pam Amick Klawitter. App Store | Google Play, online.
Los Angeles Times: by Zhouqin Burnikel. Online, pdf. Free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski. Online.
The Modern Crossword: ($) by Kelly Nguyen Dickson. Online, .pdf.
New York Sun: ($) Burning Desire by Matt Skoczen. Reissues from 2005.
New York Times: ($) by Brandon Koppy. Online, .pdf, app.
New York Times Mini: by Joel Fagliano. Online, app.
The New Yorker Mini: The Mini Crossword: Thursday, May 2, 2024 by Mollie Cowger. .pdf, online.
Newsday: 5/2/24 State of the Union by Stan Newman. Online, .pdf.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online
Slate: Slate Midi: Thursday, May 2, 2024 by Nancy Serrano-Wu. Online, .pdf.
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic by James Brydon. Online.
Universal: ($) To Each Their Own by Alexander Liebeskind. Online, pdf. .puz.
USA Today: Juju by Marshal Herrmann. Online, .pdf, app.
Vox: by Will Nediger. .pdf, online.
Vulture 10×10: The Stunt Puzzle by Stella Zawistowski. .pdf, online.
The Wall Street Journal: Heavy Lifting by AJ Phillips. Online, .pdf. .puz.
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo. Online, .pdf.

A Cleverly-Titled Logic Puzzle Blog: Wordy Wednesday 594: Anacrossword 594 by Grant Fikes. .pdf.
Jamie’s Puzzles and (Maybe) Some Other Things: Cryptic #0000002 by Jamie Ding. .jpz, .pdf, online.
Mallimack: Better Than Nimble English (M0006) by Mallimack. .puz, .pdf, online.
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online.
Tales From The Cryptic: Cryptic Mini #000000088: “Necromancer’s Court” 7×7 by Bob Weisz. .pdf, online.

Financial Times: FT Crossword: Number 17,723 by .pdf.
The Globe and Mail: The Daily Cryptic Crossword. .pdf, online.
The Guardian: Cryptic crossword No 29,372 by Fed. .pdf, online.
The Hindu Cryptic: 14164 by Karaoke. .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword by Wiglaf. .pdf, online.
The Spectator: ($) 2652 by Doc. Subscribe at link.

Support Daily Crossword Links

Check out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles

Other American-style links:

Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Sally’s Take | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar

Other Cryptic/Variety links:

A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Split Decisions | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache. .pdf, online.
Club 72: Freestyle 908 by Tim Croce. .puz, .pdf.
Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre. .pdf, online.
Memorial Hall Library: Some of Stephen King’s Favorite Novels. .pdf, online.
MEOW: Are the Stars Out Tonight? (Meta) by DrTom. .puz, .pdf, online.
Tough As Nails: Tough as Nails Themeless #112 by Stella Zawistowski. .puz, .pdf
YourPuzzleSource: Daily Puzzle (Midi) by Phil Fraas. .pdf, online.

The Amherst Student: Minis by John Joire. .pdf, online.
The Chicago Maroon: 75. Meta-HEAP by Pravan Chakravarthy. .pdf, online.
The Columbia Spectator: Daily Mini: 05/01/2024 by Reena Bromberg Gaber. .puz, .pdf, online.
The Daily Northwestern: Daily Mini Crossword, May 1, 2024 by Nineth Kanieski Koso. .pdf, online.
The Daily Pennsylvanian: Mini by Garv Mehdiratta . .pdf, online.
The Daily Pennsylvanian: Daily Puzzle by Evan Stubbs. .pdf, online.
Fordham Observer: Thursday, May 2 (Mini) by Damian Grove. .pdf, online.
Fordham Observer: Wednesday, May 1 (Mini) by Damian Grove. .pdf, online.
The Michigan Daily: The Mini. Online.

Autostraddle: Mini Crossword is Gayotic by Emet Ozar. .pdf, online.
AVCX: ($) May 1, 2024 “Urban Sprawl” by Shannon Rapp and Will Eisenberg. Subscribe at link.
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword: May 1, 2024 by Kate Chin Park. .pdf, online.
Crossword Nation: ($) Ghost Ships by Elizabeth C. Gorski. Subscribe at link.
Puzzmo: Infinity and Beyond by Jo. Online.

Apple News: ($) Low-Pressure System by Nate Cardin. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by David Steinberg. News+ Subscription Required
The Atlantic Mini: by Paolo Pasco. .pdf, online.
Crosswords with Friends: Wayback Wednesday by Doug Peterson. App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle by Donna S. Levin. App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle by Patrick Berry. App Store | Google Play
Daily Beast: Tough Category, Weds. May 1, 2024 by Matt Gaffney. .pdf, online.
Daily POP Crosswords: by Janice Luttrell. App Store | Google Play, online.
Los Angeles Times: by Andrew Walker. Online, pdf. Free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski. Online.
McKinsey: “Mwah!” by Peter Gordon. .pdf, online.
The Modern Crossword: ($) by Taylor Johnson. Online, .pdf.
New York Sun: ($) Themeless by Robert H. Wolfe. Reissues from 2005.
New York Times: ($) by Juliana Tringali Golden. Online, .pdf, app.
NYT Monthly Bonus: Playing the Hits by Paolo Pasco. Online, .pdf, .puz.
New York Times Mini: by Joel Fagliano. Online, app.
The New Yorker: The Crossword: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 by Robyn Weintraub. .pdf, online.
Newsday: 5/1/24 May Day by Jerry Clarkson. Online, .pdf.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online
Slate: Slate Midi: Wednesday, May 1, 2024 by Quiara Vasquez. Online, .pdf.
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic by Ray Terrell. Online.
Universal: ($) Navigational Errors by Kit Sheffield. Online, pdf. .puz.
USA Today: All Kid-Ding Aside by Amie Walker & Jasmeet Arora. Online, .pdf, app.
Vox: by Adesina O. Koiki. .pdf, online.
Vulture 10×10: The Microbes Puzzle by Malaika Handa. .pdf, online.
The Wall Street Journal: Wishful Sinking by Mike Shenk. Online, .pdf. .puz.
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo. Online, .pdf.

Ben’s Cryptic Crosswords: Tragic Curse by Ben Robinson Online.
Outside The Fox: ($) Touchwords by Grant Fikes. Subscribe at link.
Puzzle Tome: What You See (Cryptic) .pdf, online.
The Rackenfracker: Out of Shape #8: Marching Bands by The Rackenfracker. .pdf, online.
Square Chase: ($) Washout (Variety Cryptic) by Steve Mossberg. Patreon subscription.
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online.

Contingencies: Begin Again by Tom Toce. pdf
Financial Times: FT Crossword: Number 17,722 by Goliath .pdf.
The Globe and Mail: The Daily Cryptic Crossword. .pdf, online.
The Guardian: Cryptic crossword No 29,371 by Paul. .pdf, online.
The Hindu Cryptic: 14,163 by Gussfaulz. .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword by Eccles. .pdf, online.

Support Daily Crossword Links

Check out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles

Other American-style links:

Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Sally’s Take | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar

Other Cryptic/Variety links:

A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Split Decisions | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener