2003 Features
12/29/03 - All Hands On Deck
Here's a vocabulary quiz to test your nautical knowledge. Are you a landlubber or a salty dog?
12/22/03 - Holiday Crossword Puzzle
A 15x15 interactive crossword puzzle with a holiday theme. Solve the Java version or download and solve in AcrossLite (with its print-friendly option).
12/15/03 - Themed Crossword Puzzles
Here's a selection of themed crossword puzzzles to solve now or download and solve at your leisure. Happy puzzling.
12/08/03 - Caterpillar
This caterpillar has a voracious appetite. Help the caterpillar find and eat the apples. But you've got to be quick or it's game over!
12/03/03 - The Snob Test
Are you a snob or a regular joe? Answer the questions and see how you score on the Snob-O-Meter.
11/30/03 - You Can Say That Again!
Here's a themed American style crossword puzzle for your solving pleasure. Solve the Java version or download and solve in AcrossLite (with its print-friendly option).
11/22/03 - What Do You Think?
The New York Times provides great crossword puzzles from North America's premier crossword puzzle creators. However, the $35 subscription fee is considerable and when one sonsiders the investment necessary just to access the Web (computer, telephone/cable, connection fees), it's beyond the reach of many. What do you think? Should the Times adjust its subscription fee? Respond to our survey now.
11/15/03 - 'Simon Says' Crossword Puzzle
A puzzle by Dave Fisher with a super Simon theme. Solve on screen or print and solve on the go.
11/11/03 - The Da Vinci Code Challenge
Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci liked to hide secrets by encoding them in his artwork? The aim of this challenge is to uncover a series of codes. And, as the Web site informs us, "These codes are visible to the naked eye... and they are already in your possession."
11/09/03 - Spelling Schmelling
Can you raed tihs? Aoccdrnig to a reersach peapr at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deson't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are.
10/27/03 - A Tricky Treat Crossword Puzzle
Here's a themed crossword puzzle with a tricky theme. Solve the puzzle and try to guess the secret word.
10/24/03 - Puzzler By Day, Rocker By Night
At 26, Brendan Emmett Quigley isn't the youngest crossword-puzzle constructor out there, but ask around in the world of puzzles, and people gush about his 'freshness'.
10/15/03 - Warning Signs
A themed, 15 x 15 crossword puzzle. Solve on screen or print and solve on the go.
10/10/03 - Bash at Bugsy's
From free beer to meeting Henry Hook ("it was like meeting Elvis"), Matt Gaffney, crossword constructor for Slate magazine, writes an entertaining column.
10/04/03 - AVONTWOBUY - CHOREKNACK
Huh? Well, that's just a sample of some of the wordplay you might encounter in a Merl Reagle crossword puzzle. And it all makes perfectly good (and entertaining) sense.
09/30/03 - Study: Boomers Prefer Printed Pages
A recent study indicates that older tech elites (over 40) prefer paper and pencil over keyboard and mouse when it comes to solving crossword puzzles. What's your preference? Vote in our poll.
09/24/03 - NYTimes Relaunches Crossword Puzzles
The New York Times has announced three new features on its Premium Crossword Puzzles that enable members to play collaboratively or competitively, solo or in groups.
09/19/03 - Crossword Puzzles Sell Newspapers
The editors learnt a valuable lesson when they tried to take away the crossword puzzle...
09/16/03 - Designing Crosswords
The issue of designing crosswords for younger solvers is a hot topic among crossword creators. For this popular pastime to appeal to a new generation of solvers, constructors will have to update the cultural references in their puzzles. Here are some things to consider.
09/02/03 - Puzzling Times
Check out this oil painting of a newspaper puzzle page. You won't believe your eyes. Photorealist, Steve Mills, has reproduced it so perfectly that you want to pick up the pencil and start solving.
08/25/03 - A-Maze-ing!
Solve these mazes on your computer screen. Check out the three dimensional mazes.
08/12/03 - Palindromes/Semordnilap Checker
Just enter a word or phrase and hit the 'Reverse' button. If the result reads the same backwards as forwards, it's a palindrome. If it results in a different word, it's a semordnilap.
08/05/03 - Rush Hour
You're caught in traffic but there is a way out. Can you find it? Solve this interactive puzzle with twelve levels of difficulty.
07/29/03 - The Pun FAQtory
"A pistol let off at the ear; not a feather to tickle the intellect." Learn more than you ever wanted to know about the much maligned pun. Mark Samwick maintains the unofficial FAQ for the UseNet newsgroup alt.humor.puns
07/21/03 - Topsy-turvy Ambigrams
Here's a collection of art which adorned match boxes during the late 19th and early 20th century. These whimsical images were cleverly drawn so as to be viewable right side up or upside down.
07/10/03 - Unthemed Diagramless Crossword Puzzle
You can try solving a diagramless version of this crossword or, if you're not that adventuresome, it's also available with a blocked grid. Interactive or print-friendly. Happy puzzling.
06/24/03 - Fourth of July Crossword Puzzle
This puzzle features double-crossing diagonal entries that spell out two timely phrases. Solve it now or download and solve in AcrossLite with its print-friendly option.
06/13/03 - Sin City Crossword Puzzle
Crime runs rampant on these city streets. At least, as far as this crossword puzzle is concerned. Solve it now on your computer screen or download and solve in AcrossLite with its print-friendly option.
06/12/03 - Challenging Crossword Puzzles
Here's a selection of crossword puzzles that will challenge even the most experienced solvers. One recommendation: work these puzzles in pencil and have a good eraser on hand.
06/05/03 - 'Father Knows Best' Crossword
Try this standard 15x15 puzzle with a timely theme. Solve online or download in AcrossLite format with print option for solving on the go. Happy Father's Day!
06/03/03 - The Ringmaster
Here's a skinny-mini crossword puzzle for your solving pleasure. It's a 7x19 puzzle that you can play on screen or download in AcrossLite for a print-friendly version.
05/28/03 - Word Squares: Forerunners to Crosswords
Word Squares have been around for centuries but is it possible to construct a perfect ten-letter word square?
05/26/03 - Money Matters Crossword
Here's a crossword with a fiscal theme. See if you can sort out these money matters. Solve it now or download in AcrossLite (with print-friendly option).
05/13/03 - Pyramid Puzzles
Solve these puzzles and test your word power and trivia knowledge. There's a print-friendly version for those who like pencil and paper. Or you can make your own.
05/08/03 - Speaking of Language
What happens when bureaucrats try to take the 'go' out of the 'lingo'?
05/04/03 - Mom's Crossword Puzzle
God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. Here's a puzzle dedicated to dear old Mom. Solve it on screen or print it out if you prefer paper and pencil.
04/30/03 - World's Toughest Jigsaw Puzzles
Choose from a 13,200 piece behemoth or a puzzle with pieces printed on both sides. Don't go here unless you're prepared to surrender your social life.
04/26/03 - It's Cubular!
Give the puzzle fans on your gift list a double dose of pleasure. (Mother's Day is coming.)
04/17/03 - Slip Sliding Away
Play this interactive version of a sliding block puzzle. Can you solve it in the fewest moves possible?
04/09/03 - Cow's Word Crossword
Bessie may be a little bumptious at times but she's no balmy bovine. So buckle down and puzzle on. Use your brain and solve this bucolic crossword puzzle.
04/02/03 - TOTI EMU LESTO
A sign reading 'TOTI EMU LESTO' adorned a village post in olden days. It's one example of the letter games which have been around as long as the written word.
03/26/03 - Top 10 Crossword Puzzle Solver's Books
Here are the helpful books that every crossword puzzle solver needs whether they're a novice or a seasoned pro.
03/08/03 - St. Patrick's Day Puzzle
A charming cryptic crossword puzzle with a green theme.
02/26/03 - Tom Kelly's Crossword #5
For all you cryptic crossword fans - check out this offering from cryptic cruciverbalist Tom Kelly.
02/11/03 - A Lovely Crossword
Solve this puzzle on your computer or print and solve it on the go. This is a standard crossword with a timely theme.
02/04/03 - Sweetheart's Cryptic Crossword
A cryptic crossword with a hearty theme.
01/17/03 - The Daily Crossword
The daily crossword features punny clues and lively fill. Solve online or print and solve on the go.
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