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 solved that we don’t think you should miss.” Kind of like staff recommendations at a local bookstore.
Did we miss your favorites? Add them in the comments!
ClassiCanadian: S.O.S.! (2/20) by Barb Olson. Really fun theme set, given the revealer. –Matt
Jonesin’: “Put ‘Em Together” (2/20) -Matt
The New Yorker: (2/24) by Erik Agard. Great grid, great clues. -Steve
Puzzmo: “Can I get a, um, uhh–?” (2/24) Sara Cantor. An easier themeless jampacked with fill and fun. I’m on record as preferring harder themelesses, but this is my favorite puzzle of the year so far. -Matt
Bewilderingly: “What’s the Deal with Doug?” (2/24) by Will Nediger. -Matt
Los Angeles Times: (2/25) by Nate Cardin. so much theme content, so much smooth. -Matt
BEQ: “No Loose Ends” (2/27) by Brendan Emmett Quigley. Good and smooth. -Matt.
Puzzmo: “Day In, Day Out” (3/11) by Doug Peterson. Quite a breezy solve and fun bonus entries, but my favorite thing about this puzzle is the absolutely perfect apt-pair theme that makes you go “I wish I had thought of that”. -Norah
Boswords: (3/17) by Will Eisenberg. Will puts a lot of effort as a constructor and editor into the balance of fair, difficult, and puzzling, and it shows throughout in his Boswords grid. -Matt
New York Times: Acrostic (3/23) Another great acrostic from David Balton and Jane Stewart. They are masters! -Steve
Washington Post: “You Are Surrounded” (3/23) by Evan Birnholz. Astounding , tight and satisfying solve. -Steve. Rare to see a meta this smooth and accessible with multiple steps -Matt