The XWord Info Bar Game can’t compete with the Crossword or Finder pages, but it’s surprisingly popular, with many repeat visitors. This post explains why, what’s new, how it’s used, and asks your opinion about various feature requests. It’s a game? How do I win? Well, it’s not much of a game, since there are… Continue reading Bar Game Updates
Cryptic Crosswords
Cryptic crosswords are the most difficult to get into, but the most fun once you do.
Jim’s final Acrostic
I took advantage of a window of opportunity to pitch three Acrostic ideas that might push that puzzle type in some new directions.
Where are my Acrostic stats?
Our Acrostic solver remembers your progress so you can come back to that puzzle later. Sometimes that data disappears. This post explains why.
Vowelless Crosswords
Vowelless crosswords are easier than you think.
Puns & Anagrams
This is the second in my “Variety is the Spice of Puzzles” series about under-appreciated NYT Variety puzzles. The first looked at Acrostics. Puns and Anagrams, aka PandAs, are like regular crosswords except the clues rely heavily on, well, the title explains. They tend to be easier than Cryptics, but like Cryptics, they are sometimes… Continue reading Puns & Anagrams
Acrostics
Learn to love Acrostics.
OneLook pattern search
OneLook pattern search now displays results by popularity.
Finder Philosophy
What’s the difference between the different Search buttons on the XWord Info Finder page? And why is my RegEx search timing out?
Fearful symmetry
Crossword grid symmetry comes in various flavors.