I offer here a selection of the cryptic crossword puzzles I’ve constructed over the years. Most of them have been published in the Enigma, the monthly magazine of the National Puzzlers League — including a few of my earlier efforts that I have revised and improved upon for republication here. There are also a few puzzles exclusive to this web site.
Puzzles are ranked by difficulty, from easy (*) to hard (***).
___________________________
MINI-SIZED PUZZLES: I prefer economy; my grids have gotten more compact over the years.
** Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia – The name says it all. First published in the February 2010 Enigma. Solution
** All-Inclusive – First published as an April Fools puzzle (a “Ralf”) in the April 2013 Enigma. Solution
* Holiday Treat – First published in the October 2014 Enigma. Solution
*** A Lesson in Quantum Physics – I published a different crossword – same motif but a different grid – under this title in the March 2018 Enigma. But this revised version is a more elegant presentation of the same motif. Solution
___________________________
STANDARD-SIZED PUZZLES:
** Harsh Words – First published in the July 2010 Enigma. Solution
** Worst Christmas Ever – I was chuckling throughout the entire construction of this puzzle. First published in the November/December 2010 Enigma. Solution
** PBS – The first crossword I ever made that had more than just one thing going on at once. First published in the August 2012 Enigma. Solution
* Where You Least Expect It – First published in the April 2013 Enigma. Solution
** Double Trouble – First published in the April 2014 Enigma. Solution
* Take a Number – First published (unfortunately, and unintentionally, without its title) in the October 2015 Enigma. Solution
** Hatchet Job – First published in the October 2016 Enigma, this puzzle was honored with a 2017 NPL Golden Sphinx award. Solution
** Found in Translation – First published in the August 2020 Enigma, this puzzle was honored with a 2021 NPL Golden Sphinx award. Solution
___________________________
CONVENTION CRYPTIC CROSSWORDS: The National Puzzlers League holds a convention each July – four days of puzzles and games and hanging out with a few hundred other people who like clever wordplay as much as you do. You do not have to be an NPL member to attend, and I highly recommend that you give it a try. (Trust me: you won’t be the most shy or introverted person there – not by a long shot.)
One of the features of the convention is a long table where puzzle constructors give away free handouts of their latest offerings. Here are a few of mine.
* Four-Letter Words – A mini-sized cryptic crossword presented at the 2015 Convention Recouvery in Vancouver, British Columbia. Solution
*** Oh, Beehive! – I was honored to have this puzzle selected as one of the official convention crosswords for SiLiCon in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2016. Special thanks to Frasier Simpson for his masterful editorial guidance in constructing this puzzle. Solution
* Oh, Beehive (Again)! – Back-to-back conventions that leant themselves to the theme – I couldn’t resist. Presented at the 2017 Convention BeaCon in Boston, Massachusetts. Solution
* Dedicated to Wordsmix – Presented at the 2019 Convention RockOn! in Boulder, Colorado. (And no – I had not yet met Wordsmix when I constructed this.) Solution
___________________________
EXCLUSIVES: Puzzles making their first public appearance here on this web page. Enjoy!
*** Double Double Trouble – A brand new puzzle, expanding on the motif that appeared in “Double Trouble,” above. Solution
* Hollywood Adaptation – This motif gave me the most trouble for some reason, but it also refused to go away. It’s a mini-sized puzzle. Solution
** Treasure Map – I used this same motif in a cryptic crossword called “Finding Your Way” which was published in the May 2017 Enigma. “Treasure Map” is a totally new puzzle – another mini – that is a much more elegant presentation of the same motif. Solution
*** Sticks Together – A complete overhaul of “Cryptic Scouting” – my very first cryptic crossword published in the Enigma, all the way back in September 2009. There’s no way I could have put together a grid this tight back then. Solution
___________________________
All puzzles (C) Copyright 2020, 2021, 2022 by Alex Kolker. Copying and distribution for solving purposes is permitted. All other rights reserved.
___________________________
OTHER CRYPTIC CROSSWORDS ONLINE
National Puzzlers League — A global (despite the name) group of word puzzle lovers. NPL’s monthly magazine, the Enigma, often features 1 to 2 cryptic crosswords, in addition to several other types of puzzles that are just as clever. Download this free minisample to get a taste for what they do.
I highly recommend joining this group, and/or attending their annual Convention, which is four days of non-stop puzzling and games. (If you come to one, find me and say “hi.”)
Most of Kevin Wald’s Miscellaneous Cryptics — One of the editors at the National Puzzlers League once called Kevin “a national treasure.” Come solve some of his cryptics and see why. Over 100 examples, all available for free.
Out of Left Field — The Kosman/Picciotto team, who provides cryptic crossword puzzles for The Nation — are masters of writing genuinely innovative cryptic clues. The site includes free samples of their work.
Stephen Sondheim’s Crossword Puzzles — Yes, that Stephen Sondheim. His puzzles are just a good (and as intricate) as his music.
___________________________