Mental Judo: A Cryptic Blog (11)

KATESCHMATE CRYPTIC!!! Sorry, but there was no way I was burying that lede. If you aren't familiar with Kate, h er noncryptic crosswords (including those made with a who's who of collaborators) are a delight. And, in what I can only assume was initially an accident and then too awkward to back out of, she offered me the opportunity to collaborate on her first cryptic! Here's what she has to say in her defense: [voice-disguising filter] I, someone who definitely understands and knows how to write cryptics, was very happy to mentor Joe through this process. I definitely came up with all the best wordplay and made sure everything was fair, and I definitely wasn’t constantly asking Joe how cryptics, like, work. I also definitely did not ask Joe to collab and then take seven months to finish the puzzle, as I am as reliable and timely as I am knowledgeable about the rules of cryptic puzzles. Endless thanks are due to Joe for how fun he is to work with, not to mention how kind a

Eleven of this puzzle's answers relate to a specific year—can you figure out which? Online solvers: the answer shows up when you complete the puzzle. Special shout out to Liari ( constructor and solver extraordinaire), who redeemed this puzzle as a channel-point redemption on my stream ! She left the year up to me, so if you don't like it, it's not her fault! I've said it before and I'll (hopefully get to) say it again: many thanks to the Rackenfracker 's dadgumituh and jmsr525 for the test solves! If you solve or stream or love or hate, lemme know! (joeadultman on Twitch   and Twitter ) [ fullscreen ]

This is a silly, shortish puzzle that was a half-baked idea that I couldn't let go of... so now it's a thing, apparently? Let's dig in! As I have many times before, I must thank the Rackenfracker 's dadgumituh and jmsr525 for the test solves—they help me help you! If you solve or stream or love or hate, lemme know! (joeadultman on Twitch   and Twitter ) [ fullscreen ]

This puzzle relates to a specific location—can you use the themed answers to figure out where you are before the grid spells out the answer? Special shout out to Dob (half of CrossweirdTV and purveyor of pleasing puzzles ), who redeemed this puzzle (long, long ago) as a channel-point redemption on my stream ! Many thanks to the Rackenfracker 's dadgumituh and jmsr525 for the test solves! (Did you do Rackenfracker's Eleven yet?) If you solve or stream or love or hate, lemme know! (joeadultman on Twitch   and Twitter ) [ fullscreen ]

I've been so excited to share this puzzle—a collaboration with The Rackenfracker —with everyone, and today's the day! I'll let them do the talking at the main post (including thanking the litany of people it took to pull off this coup):  Rackenfracker's Eleven Do let us know if you solve it (and what you think)!

Today’s puzzle is a collaboration with the one and only juff, a fantastic cryptic setter and streamer (with many other talents, one of which is on display after you solve this puzzle). Check out their post for this collab  here , and a great essay on symmetry in cryptics (along with a fun puzzle) here ! We’ve been wanting to collaborate for a bit, so when juff had the idea of doing a modern homage to a vintage Halloween-themed Hex puzzle , I was excited to jump on board! Many thanks to Saroota and Skaldskaparmal for their helpful test solves. Hope you enjoy, and, as ever, let us know what you think! [ fullscreen ]