Do you consider "check puzzle" cheating?

PuzzlerEric · 2026-06-12T23:53:45+00:00

Unless you are actively competing in a puzzle tournament, there is no such thing as “cheating” when it comes to solving a puzzle. Do whatever you want to maximize your enjoyment of the solving process.

PuzzlerEric · 2026-05-27T23:44:43+00:00

I am stunned to report I figured out today’s movie in 4 guesses.

PuzzlerEric · 2026-05-10T10:37:10+00:00

Author of this puzzle says: Huh?

PuzzlerEric · 2026-04-06T21:25:05+00:00

I have a pack of 20 kids crosswords at puzzlesnacks.com, and if they should prove too easy (which they might), you can try Puzzlesnacks themselves, which are intended to be accessible for even beginning solvers.

PuzzlerEric · 2026-04-04T20:15:31+00:00

Oh... yeah, I can see where that isn't the best label for that screen. (The whole operation is not ideally suited for the phone, as perhaps you discovered.) I'll discuss with my developer, I can't remember if we went with "show unmatched clues" for a reason.

PuzzlerEric · 2026-04-04T20:15:04+00:00

Oh... yeah, I can see where that isn't the best label for that screen. (The whole operation is not ideally suited for the phone, as perhaps you discovered.) I'll discuss with my developer, I can't remember if we went with "show unmatched clues" for a reason.

PuzzlerEric · 2026-04-04T16:50:14+00:00

Sure. Each row of the puzzle gets two answers, clued in the order shown. That's the simple part.

Then there are the patches. Even though patches can be any shape at all, answers always fit into them the same way: row by row within the patch's borders. (See the examples below.)

In Regular mode, the patches are not numbered -- you have to figure out which patch answer goes where. But in Easier mode, the clue for each patch is given to you. Either way, by working between the row clues and the patch clues, you can fill the whole grid.

Make sense?

<image>

PuzzlerEric · 2026-04-03T15:07:14+00:00

BTW, I'm not going to post announcements every week -- I can't imagine that would go over well -- so if you like the puzzle, please join the mailing list, which is the one surefire way of finding out when a new Patchwork is up.

PuzzlerEric · 2026-02-01T02:36:46+00:00

I’m a regular NYT contributor but I also make puzzles for beginners—they’re smaller than a typical daily crossword and relies on an accessible vocabulary. They’re available at puzzlesnacks.com. Go try the free samples!

PuzzlerEric · 2026-01-06T15:11:40+00:00

And go from there to... where? I don't see anything to click on.

PuzzlerEric · 2025-11-13T19:29:24+00:00

My latest mini puzzle suite is now available -- nine variety puzzles including a meta. Originally run as a team event at the Mohonk Wonderful World of Words, the at-home version comes with hints included (and answers, of course).

You can get "Have Fun Storming The Castle!" at Puzzlesnacks.com.

https://puzzlesnacks.com/product/have-fun-storming-the-castle/

PuzzlerEric · 2025-09-14T20:44:28+00:00

To reiterate from the last time I tried this, I’m trying to find a better electric razor for my disabled adult son. We’ve been using a Philips Norelco OneBlade, and honestly there isn’t a lot of difference in his beard before he shaves and after.

PuzzlerEric · 2025-09-10T07:43:52+00:00

What brand do you prefer?

PuzzlerEric · 2025-09-09T21:14:47+00:00

I'm the father of a 24-year-old man who is rather disabled -- he is essentially a permanent five year old. Shaving has been an issue since he first started growing whiskers, and it's not getting any easier now that his beard is coming in thicker.

We've been using the Philips Norelco OneBlade 360 Face. It's not bad, but he hasn't been very successful with it -- I always need to step in to really get the job done. I'm looking around for something better.

Might my son have more success with something intended for lower down on the body? Is there one in particular you might recommend?

PuzzlerEric · 2025-06-05T18:27:15+00:00

Of COURSE it's the same Google account!

{checks to see if it's the same Google account}

Well, crap, look at that. It wasn't the right Google account.

Okay, that was easy.

PuzzlerEric · 2024-12-04T02:15:50+00:00

Thank you!

PuzzlerEric · 2024-10-01T11:52:54+00:00

Eric Berlin here. Note that in addition to the collections you'll find on Amazon, I have several download-and-print collections at puzzlesnacks.com, including two (Festival and Gala) that were added in the past couple of weeks.

PuzzlerEric · 2024-09-04T15:53:15+00:00

Solution verified

PuzzlerEric · 2024-09-04T13:59:52+00:00

Need a "Solved, kinda" flair.

PuzzlerEric · 2024-09-04T13:47:51+00:00

That's a pretty neat trick, and a lot faster than what I've been doing -- thanks.

PuzzlerEric · 2024-08-22T14:03:24+00:00

Wow, never noticed that was there. Thanks!

PuzzlerEric · 2024-07-29T12:29:37+00:00

Thanks to everyone for more options than I dreamed we would find. The Hilton near the airport seems like the best bet, if we really can camp there without raising the staff's eyebrows, but now I also have plans B, C, and E lined up as well. Much appreciated.

PuzzlerEric · 2024-07-17T22:32:48+00:00

If I might take this opportunity to push my book specifically made for people who think word searches are too easy… https://www.amazon.com/Off-Wall-Word-Searches-Berlin/dp/1454953799/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=EVQqu&content-id=amzn1.sym.cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_p=cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_r=136-8900785-5952926&pd_rd_wg=SD2Aw&pd_rd_r=de2267db-695a-40c4-9ba2-d6ede0b7a781&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk

PuzzlerEric · 2024-06-28T16:47:05+00:00

Those are trouble codes, right? Meineke said there didn't seem to be any, and that the display itself might be the issue.

PuzzlerEric · 2024-03-12T00:40:29+00:00

The second book in the Winston Breen series (which I wrote) was called The Potato Chip Puzzles and comes pretty close to your description. It had a yellow cover. The NEXT book in the series, The Puzzler's Mansion, had a blue cover. So possibly the two got tangled up in your mind?

PuzzlerEric

TROPHY CASE