Games World of Puzzles

COVER PUZZLE INSTRUCTIONS In this puzzle, the penguin must travel from the bottom entrance to the top exit by following certain rules. At any time, he must be in one of three states: only able to turn left at intersections with green fish, only able to turn right at green fish intersections, or only able to go straight at green fish intersections. The penguin begins only being able to go straight, but whenever he crosses a red fish he must switch to a different state. At intersections with no green fish, the penguin can go whichever direction he wants. He may retread his path, but U-turns are not allowed. Good luck! COVER PUZZLE ANSWER, PAGE 76 EDITOR’S NOTE “Cryptic Crossword 2” on page 57 of the October issue was erroneously…

Each answer in this crossword variation has two clues leading to it, using different meanings of the word. The clues are separated into Across and Down, but are otherwise ordered randomly. When you find two Across or two Down clues that seem to have the same answer, add up their clue numbers to determine the place in the grid at which the answer should be entered. ANSWER, PAGE 71 ACROSS 1 Not shiny 2 Stops functioning 3 Ends a game of chess 4 Glossary’s neighbor 5 Take on, as an identity 6 Buddies, in Brisbane 7 Take for granted 8 Make a larger copy 9 Covered with tattoos 10 Toddler’s demand 11 Chart-topper 12 Action film star Diesel 13 Traffic circle 14 Three-inch putt, say 15 Distributes 16 Turns on…

There is one place for each letter of the alphabet in the 26 empty squares of each blank column in the diagram below. Fill in each letter so that a word of at least five letters is formed reading across only. Not all of the letters to the left and right of the empty box are used; it’s up to you to determine which ones are needed to complete familiar words. Some letters may fit in more than one of the empty squares to complete words, but we only came up with one arrangement that would complete a word in each row. Proper names are not allowed. ANSWER, PAGE 70…

Ever wished you could join the legions of solvers who confidently navigate the mysterious language of cryptic crosswords? “Unlocking Cryptics” was designed just for you. This mini puzzle follows the same solving principles as the full-size cryptic crosswords featured later in this issue. Full instructions can be found on pages 60 and 61. This puzzle has two added supports: The type(s) of wordplay involved is listed after each clue, and the definition portion of each clue is underlined. Use these hints to build your skills, and enjoy those ‟aha” moments! ANSWERS, PAGE 79 ACROSS 1 Santa’s sleigh team picked up mom but lost energy. What’s left? (9) (container/deletion) 5 New York speed limit units evoke forest spirit (5) (charade) 8 Mineral spring sap is off (3) (anagram) 9 Upset three wise men…

ACROSS 1 Savage beast soother, so the saying goes 6 Light wood 11 Gangsterʼs gun, in mob-talk 14 Foolish 15 Elite group of employees: 2 wds. 16 Poem of praise 17 It may be granted by a judge after divorce proceedings: 2 wds. 19 McEwan who wrote Atonement 20 Opposed (to) 21 Ballroom dance 23 Expressed, as a farewell 25 Tonto’s partner: 2 wds. 28 Fall zodiac sign 30 Tony Shalhoub TV role 31 Angsty music genre 32 Awesome, slangily: 2 wds. 36 Start of a play: 2 wds. 40 Just released, as a product 41 1955 Platters hit: 2 wds. 43 Sweetie 44 Turkey and Swiss purveyor 46 Inn customers 47 "Vive le ____!" 48 Innocent sort 50 Checking out 52 How students often line up: 2 wds. 58…

No kidding! Each of the words and phrases listed below contains at least one K. Fit them all into the grid so that they intersect in standard crossword fashion, using each one exactly once. If you can do it, kudos to you! STARTING HINT, PAGE 74 5 LETTERS ANOUK BRINK E-BOOK IN INK KAHLO KEENE KITED KOOKS OKIES ORECK OSAKA SKEAT SKEGS SKIRR SKOSH TAKEI TRIKE WALKS 6 LETTERS AGENT K AIKIDO ALASKA EKE OUT EUREKA EVOKER I’M LIKE INVOKE KLAXON OK BY ME ONLOOK SHTICK STOKED TAKE TO TIKTOK UNKEPT UPLINK WOKE UP 7 LETTERS BAKLAVA EEKED AT ERIKSON GO QUICK KILDARE KINDLER KNUCKLE LUCKY ME MARKKAA OAKWOOD OKE-DOKE ONE KILO PARTAKE RANSACK RYE PECK THAT’S OK TOP DECK YOU LIKE? 8 LETTERS ASKED OUT CHEROKEE DVD RACKS EYE…