Deb Amlen

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Deb Amlen

wordplay, the crossword columnHanh Huynh's puzzle gives main-character energy. Jump to: Today's Theme | Tricky CluesTHURSDAY PUZZLE - I like Hanh Huynh's crosswords. Today's puzzle is his fifth in The New York Times, and all you have to do is go back to his past grids to see how much he enjoys playing with words. His debut puzzle, from 2023, is my favorite, but I think you'll like this one, too.

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Deb Amlen

wordplay, the crossword columnZhouqin Burnikel returns to deliver a Friday puzzle that is packed with misdirected clues. Jump to: Tricky CluesFRIDAY PUZZLE - It's been nearly five months since we've seen a puzzle from Zhouqin Burnikel, and I, for one, am very glad she's back. Ms. Burnikel has a way of filling her puzzles with lively entries and - for her late-in-the-week puzzles, where the high-wire walks happen - packing the clues with all sorts of twisty misdirection.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Deb Amlen

Boaz Moser: I feel very blessed to be back with a second Friday puzzle in The Times!I didn't have much confidence in this grid at first, so I put out an open invitation online to see if anyone wanted to help me clue it. Jacob was instrumental in getting it finished. In the end, most of our clues were changed. The grid felt pretty flexible difficulty-wise, and so we decided to pitch it as a tricky Saturday.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Deb Amlen

wordplay, the crossword columnYou won't know which way you're going with Daniel Grinberg's puzzle. Jump to: Today's Theme | Tricky CluesTHURSDAY PUZZLE - All I can say is, "Wow." Normally, I don't appreciate someone who pushes personal boundaries, but, by all means, please push crossword construction boundaries. And that's exactly what Daniel Grinberg, the constructor of today's puzzle, has done.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Deb Amlen

FRIDAY PUZZLE - Something happens when I'm solving a really good puzzle, and I'm curious whether it happens to you, too. I smile when I write in a particularly lively entry or read a fun clue. For me, this happened in today's puzzle at 21- and 44A, which were Brandon Koppy's seed entries, as he mentions in his constructor notes. They are both making New York Times Crossword debuts. I also liked 3-, 7-, 19- and 26D. That last one makes a return to the Crossword after not appearing for 57 years.