Games World of Puzzles February 2023

Welcome to the February issue of GAMES WORLD OF PUZZLES! Although it’s chilly outside, this issue will surely warm you up.
Looking for a new puzzle challenge? Then check out longtime contributor Andrew Parr’s column “Discovering Japanese Logic Puzzles” (page 33). In the second installment of this series, Parr focuses on “Wolves and Sheep Slitherlink,” a loop-forming puzzle that requires no knowledge of mathematics and isn’t dependent on language. In other words, you just need to use your noodle!
Of course, there’s nothing like the satisfaction of solving an old favorite like “Split Decisions” (page 50). For this issue, editor Raymond Simon talks to Fred Piscop, the current constructor of these fiendish word puzzles. That Q&A, “Mens Sana in Corpore Sano” (page 38), offers puzzle lovers a glimpse into the interesting life of this prolific puzzlemaker. Best of all, Piscop shared several “Double Exposure” and “Mixagrams” puzzles with us from his recent book, The Healthy Brain Book of Word Puzzles (pages 40 and 41).
We’re also delighted to welcome Brendan Emmett Quigley back to these pages. Quigley is a prolific cruciverbalist whose challenging puzzles have delighted (and tormented) solvers at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and Boston Magazine, to name just two outlets. This particular crossword, which we’ve dubbed “Themeless Special” (page 21), shows just how clever a constructor can be when loosed from the constraints of squeezing a theme into the grid.
If you’re looking for something to play with family and friends, perhaps Thomas L. McDonald’s review of Richard Garfield’s new game, Dungeons, Dice & Danger (page 47), will be helpful. Garfield created Magic: The Gathering, which you may have heard of. We think you’ll enjoy his latest, which mixes role-playing with roll-and-write mechanics.
As always, there’s plenty more in this issue to keep your brain firing on all cylinders. Fans of logic puzzles will want to try “Dizzy Lizzy” by Rodrigo Jorquera Jorquera (page 30) and “Snakes in Boxes” by Rodolfo Kurchan (page 54). The redoubtable Bob Stigger contributes two tough puzzles: “Presidents,” a themed cryptic crossword (page 60) and “Food Bank,” a variety cryptic (page 62).
Before you begin solving, I have an important announcement to make: GAMES WORLD OF PUZZLES is sponsoring the 45th Annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. This event, akin to a Super Bowl for crossword lovers, takes place from March 31 to April 2, 2023 at the Marriott in Stamford, Connecticut. Whether you’re a noob or a veteran attendee, we look forward to seeing you there!

Until then, happy puzzling!