Sam Corbin

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Sam Corbin

wordplay, the crossword columnDon't let Adam Vincent's challenging crossword tick you off. Jump to: Today's Theme | Tricky CluesWEDNESDAY PUZZLE - When struggling to understand a crossword theme, I find that the answer often comes to me if I just start typing a message to the puzzle editors. I get about as far as "Can someone explain --" before it hits me, at which point I quietly delete my message and slink back to my column.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Sam Corbin

wordplay, the crossword columnSue Fracker dashes off a delightful puzzle. Jump to: Today's Theme | Tricky CluesMONDAY PUZZLE - Sue Fracker made her New York Times Crossword debut in the summer of 2022 with a puzzle all about "elbow room," that featured types of rooms spelled out in elbow-shaped sets of circled letters. Judging by today's crossword, Ms. Fracker no longer needs to elbow her way into a clever theme - her talent for constructing is plain.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Sam Corbin

wordplay, the crossword columnBarbara Lin helps us out in more ways than one. Jump to: Today's Theme | Tricky CluesTUESDAY PUZZLE - My first experience with Barbara Lin's crosswords was in 2023, when I wrote the column for her Fourth of July puzzle. It was a breezy Tuesday grid with a timely wink, its themed entries stacked so as to create a tottering pile of burger toppings. It made me smile.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Sam Corbin

Our suspicions of sabotage are confirmed at 49-Across: There's a [Person who may have ruined your puzzle experience]. In order to identify the vandal, though, we'll need answers to 18-, 29- and 61-Across. These clues are "partners," so to speak, because each one relies on another's solution. In general, the best way to break into such clue sets is to use crossing entries to figure out one answer, and then use that solution to crack the other clues.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Sam Corbin

wordplay, the crossword columnRyan Mathiason makes his New York Times Crossword debut. Jump to: Today's Theme | Tricky CluesMONDAY PUZZLE - This is Ryan Mathiason's first puzzle for The New York Times and, in keeping with today's theme, I'm already starting to like what I see. Today's crossword has some wonderfully original fill, but it all jells. Or gels, you might say. In any case, I hope we'll see more of Mr. Mathiason soon. Shall we comb-over the puzzle together?