crackingthecryptic

How To Hack A Hard Classic

Hi everyone, 

I watched yesterday's video on how Mark solved Thomas Snyder's Gridlocked classic sudoku and was astonished at how different the paths we took to complete it were.  So...

7 Wonders of the World Sudoku Hunt - Solved

How did you get on with the Colosseum, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, Christ the Redeemer, Machu Picchu, Chichen Itza and Petra? Did you manage the final challenge?

Whether you did o...

Cryptic Speedrun: 6 puzzles - 6 minutes each?

See if Mark can achieve his goal of 6 Times Crossword cryptic puzzles in an average of 6 minutes each - don't cheat by looking at the video time!

This is a full week of Times cryptics with wh...

Tracking the Triptych - the Solution

Did you track the triptych successfully? Or did you trip on the track? Scott Strosahl, the creator of the astonishing Sudoku Hunt, explains how to crack it.  And he plays guitar too! Who does ...

Groundhog Day - the Solution

Here is how to solve the February reward puzzle Groundhog Day ... and a little bit of background about the puzzles, which were created by the wonderful Sed Holaysan.

Well done to everyone who...

March Reward Sudoku: The 7 Wonders of the World

Hello Patreons,

Thanks for your continued support for us. We are delighted to present our March reward puzzle, called The 7 Wonders of the World.  Many thanks to Elias, our latest compet...

Simon Vs Phistomefel

OK so let's get one thing straight, this Yin-Yang Fillomino by Phistomefel is mind-bendingly brilliant.  How on Earth did he come up this?!  And can Simon figure out how to solve it? &nbs...

Cracking the Crypto - Solution

Many of you tried Reverend's amazing code-based puzzle hunt - and many of you succeeded! Stupendous work - well done!

If you want to know how you should have cracked the codes to get to the p...

Struggles with a Crossword Meta

Mark has a go at a "Week 2" meta from Matt Gaffney's puzzle series, but he hasn't left himself much time!

Will panic get in the way of finding the answer?  Can you spot it quicker than h...

Tracking the Triptych

Hello everyone, and Happy Valentine’s Day!

We love our Patreons so much that we really enjoy being able to bring you extra content, so we were thrilled when Scott Strosahl sent us this Sudo...

Tantan Dai Tutorial

As you may know, Mark and I had the thrill of interviewing Tantan Dai, the incredible solver from China, on Tuesday.  We've included some of her (ridiculous) speed-solving in a video on the ch...

That Savage Cryptic!

Mark goes into the ring for 12 rounds with the heavyweight of the cryptic world...

February Reward Sudoku: Groundhog Day

Hello Patreons,

Thanks for your continued support for us. We are delighted to present our February reward puzzle, called Groundhog Day by Sed Holaysan. 

There is no prize for the s...

Spy Games Puzzle Hunt - the solution

A couple of months ago we posted Joke van Veenendaal's Spy Games Puzzle Hunt, a multi-level induction course for aspiring spies!  Here's the solution to all the puzzles and the final name requ...

Simon Battles "Pure Evil"

Tonight's video on the channel showcases a really beautiful classic sudoku by Sam Cappleman-Lynes.  Sam also sent us this puzzle - which was described by David McNeill (the UK's best ever sudo...

January Reward Puzzle - Solved

Here's how to solve the Tic-tac-toe Sudoku, and tell Chad's brother where to look next!

Check out the video here: 2021-01-18 11:44:30 +0000 UTC View Post

Mark and the Monstrosity

Watch Mark struggle with the Times's Monthly Club Special cryptic crossword.

'Cracking the Crypto' Puzzle Hunt

Try this astonishing puzzle hunt by Reverend, which will test your code-breaking AND puzzle-solving skills. We said we would post it if we reached 3,333 patrons, and that's where we are now!  ...

Mitchell Lee's Yajilin

As mentioned in tonight's video, we've recorded a bonus video on how to solve Mitchell's curious Yajilin puzzle... (which many of you have requested).

Here is a link to the puzzle if you'd li...

January Reward: Tic-tac-toe Sudoku

Hello everyone, and Happy New Year!

This month's reward is a single sudoku, but with a puzzling finale.

Either try the puzzle in this pdf, which includes the rules, and explains the sto...

Tracking the Cryptid - Sudoku Hunt Explained

We track the Cryptid! 

Stephane Bura and Akash Jain created this amazing sudoku hunt for us, and we loved being able to share it with you.  Here Mark talks you through how to solve ...

XV Arrow Sudoku

Hello everyone,

Following my video yesterday on Jonny Kaufman’s XV Arrow sudoku, there was some chat on Discord this morning about this hybrid and longest possible arrows. I put this togeth...

Cryptic Special - Mark's monthly battle

This is Mark's monthly war with the Times Monthly Club Special crossword. See if you know any of the words in it!

Modern Art Sudoku Pack!

Hi all, 

We have a really super bonus to share with you courtesy of the Cracking-The-Cryptic-Fan-Discord server.  Each month setters compile puzzles based around a particular theme ...

December Reward: Sudoku Hunt

Hello, everyone. Thank you for supporting us here! It's time for our monthly reward.

Every so often we think you deserve the pinnacle of sudoku solving, a sudoku hunt. This year, with Christm...

Spy Games Puzzle Hunt

Teenagers! Kids! Adults! Ever wondered about becoming a spy? You can go on a journey to discover how it would work here!

Work your way through Joke van Veenendaal's brilliant puzzles, and fee...

Last-Day Crossword Practice

Mark throws himself at 6 Times Crosswords - with what results?

November's Monthly Reward Puzzle

Mark explains how to solve the Fibonacci/Lucas Puzzle(s) that were November's monthly reward puzzle.

Sam's Competition Puzzle - The Solution

Hi everybody, 

We hope you all managed to give Sam's puzzle a try - what a beast!  Many people commented to say that they needed a little bit of trial and error to complete it, whic...

Mark practises 3 more crosswords

Mark tries to remount the crossword horse after a poor training session last time. These three Times crosswords are from the following Thur/Fri/Saturday.