iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 3h

My #Scrabblegram tribute to Terry Fox 🍁🏃 Since 1981, the #TerryFoxRun takes place every September across Canada (and around the world), raising more than $1 billion for cancer research so far terryfox.org/terrys-story/ #TerryFox #MarathonOfHope #Canada #Scrabble

Photo of Terry Fox running on a rural road in Canada in 1980, with text below:

Terry Fox

Canadian hero we never forget

Individual quest:
Jog marathon daily
Maximize leg ability
Focus on set purpose
Be the work

Scrabblegram (100 tiles)
Blanks: H, M

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Cryptic stream tonight with an indie midi by me on Crosshare, a 15x15 by Jess Shulman on Cryptic Crossweird, a variety cryptic by Rachel Fabi on AVCX, plus Nathan Curtis and more!

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Pat Cousins @patcousins.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Notice a shift in IT? Somehow, making everything worse (16) #CrypticClue

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

As horn blown repetitively, it's a New Year! (4,8) 🥳 #letterbank #crypticclue #LowdownLetterBank (originally tweeted in Sep 2022)

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

As horn blown repetitively, it's a New Year! (4,8) 🥳 #letterbank #crypticclue #LowdownLetterBank (originally tweeted in Sep 2022)

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

For those who missed it, my lightly themed Cryptic Midi posted recently on Crosshare (it may be stream-solved tonight on thatcrypticguy's twitch - see my previous post) Greenhouse gas producers copping out with stock tips (4) Some clothing comes back to life? (6) #cryptic #crossword #themed #midi

crosshare.org

Fiddling While Home Burns (Summer 2026)

This puzzle's theme is a hot topic. About 1/3 of the clues and grid entries relate to the theme. Along with the direct impetus of reality, inspiration came from...

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Aaron Riccio @illogicaljoker.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Tonight's cryptic crossword solving/discussion stream (please stop by, especially if you've never solved a cryptic and want to learn how!) is an all-indie edition, so that's stuff from: - Kyle Dolan - Crossweird (Dob, and a Tim Walters debut) - Supware - Lowdown - Kirscher - Levine 9PM Eastern!

twitch.tv

thatcrypticguy - Twitch

Enthusiast of all things puzzle-y; all-in on cryptic crosswords especially and any wordplay-based puzzle that has a compelling, funny voice. Grew up on Infocom and LucasArts, which probably explains a...

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Guinevere 🎲🎲 @guineverecryptic.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

If I could ban one sentence/thought in relation to cryptics it would be ‘I’m not clever enough to do cryptic crosswords’

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Sitter Crosswords @sitterxwords.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

In most clues, use anagrams for accuracy (14) #cryptic #crossword #crosswordclue

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Q. Pheevr @q.pheevr.ca · 09/08/2026

Greetings, #1ACCWC setters! Your word for this week is: INCORRIGIBLE Have fun with it! 1across.org/accwc/

1across.org

1ACross

For cruciverbalists...A Good Place to Start..

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AVCX Classic @avcx.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

This is a special puzzle. The genre of “dark crosswords” hasn’t actually been done too often, and Nate (who is a serious talent) nails it here on a personal topic, which is usually the thing that makes these kinds of puzzles hit. I appreciated it. It’s art is what it is.

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

I plan to tune in on Twitch tomorrow evening as thatcrypticguy solves all 3 puzzles from the US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships 🤔🤔🤔 See my previous posts for some notes about the event, including where you can find the puzzles #USCanadaCrypticCC

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Time for a brand-new #Scrabblegram! 🔠 (I've posted older 'grams the past 3 months) So, could we maybe start rewarding #cleanenergy instead of #fossilfuels? 😳 #wildfires #smoke #airquality #climate #scrabble #wordplay #commentary Photo: DarrenRD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo of heavy wildfire smoke and flames along a highway full of vehicles escaping the area. Text below:

Burning Issue

Another forest ablaze
and smoke going over

We can extinguish a wildfire
but need policy adjusted
to improve air quality

Scrabblegram (100 tiles)
Blanks: D, T

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Steve, who set the Round 1 puzzle for the US & Canada Championships, is one of the few #cryptic setters published regularly on both sides of the pond 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 Hint for clue below: the band is playing 4 nights at Madison Square Garden this week and then coming home to play 4 nights in Toronto next week 🇨🇦

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

The challenging Round 2 cryptic from the US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships is available to solve online: viresh-ratnakar.github.io/ixl/2026/gus... Viresh is the creator of open-source crossword software including Exolve Player for online solving and Exet for constructing! gussalufz.com

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

My follow-up notes about the US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships: #USCanadaCrypticCC 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 1. Thanks to all who participated and for all the feedback – positive, constructive, and negative 2. Overall, the interest from cryptic solvers in North America is promising for future events! ⬇️

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Thanks to all who participated in the US & Canada Championships and thanks to the organizers! Extra-C is contacting the Top 3s about their prizes 🏅💰 I'm contacting as many solvers as I can to tell them how they ranked and I'll post partial results here in the next few days #USCanadaCrypticCC 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

We have our winners for the US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships! US 🇺🇸 🥇 Erik Agard 🥈 Dan Schwartz 🥉 Matthew Marcus Canada 🇨🇦 🥇 Rupert Morrish 🥈 Will Nediger 🥉 Daniel Hall See article below for Top 8 lists I'll have more info tomorrow, so can reply to some of you soon #USCanadaCrypticCC

patnapress.com

Erik Agard and Rupert Morrish Crowned Champions of US Triple-C 2026 and Canada Triple-C 2026 Cryptic Crossword Championships

Patna: The US Cryptic Crossword Championship 2026 (US Triple-C 2026) and the Canada Cryptic Crossword Championship 2026 (Canada Triple-C 2026)

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Wondering who's behind the US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships? It's Extra-C, a non-profit group based in India! 🇮🇳 Extra-C runs cryptic competitions across India and globally, including last year's World Cryptic Crossword Championship in London, England (watch first part of video) More ⬇️

youtube.com

About Extra-C

YouTube video by EXTRA C

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Sowmya Ramkumar @somsram.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Only a few hours left to submit your cryptic clues for this week’s 1ACCWC.. Waiting to see your clues folks #cryptic

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

It's the final day of competition in this incredible event that's been taking place in North America! 🏆 No, not the #WorldCup, the US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships! 🤩 Round 2 is today with a challenging cryptic by the excellent @viresh.bsky.social aka Gussalufz #USCanadaCrypticCC 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

Every Sunday of July at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern. Highlighted date is July 19 for Online Round 2.

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Half a day remains to PROVIDE your clue for this week's 1ACross Clue Writing Competition #1ACCWC If you've never entered before, just create a login and submit your clue with anno (explanation), then go back tomorrow and vote! #cryptic #crossword #crypticclue #contest 1across.org/2026/07/12/1...

1across.org

1ACCWC #575 – PROVIDE – OPEN FOR CLUES

This weeks contest is hosted by @LowdownCryptic For 1ACCWC 575, the chosen word is PROVIDE Here are the rules Limit of 1 clue per setter. Please Annotate your clues clearly. Please login to partici…

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

1600 games of #Wordle in Hard Mode 8 losses (one every 200 games) Win % rounded back up to 100 (99.5%) Average: 3.82 guesses 521-day win streak was from Sep 17, 2022 (day after PARER) to Feb 19, 2024 (day before MATCH), but count reset due to technical glitch after 342 days

Screenshot of Wordle stats showing 1600 games played with 100% win percentage (rounded up from 99.5%) and Max Streak of 521 games

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

My practice round #cryptic from last Sunday is featured today on #TheHindu Crossword Corner, a popular solving blog in India! Thanks to Deepak Gopinath 1-Across clue: Cryptic crowd holding large, cheerful competition in North America (5,3) 🏆 thehinducrosswordcorner.blogspot.com/2026/07/spec...

Heading from US & Canada Cryptic Crossword Championships practice round puzzle by Larry Kline, with 1-Across clue: Cryptic crowd holding large, cheerful competition in North America (5,3)

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Round 1 of the US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships starts in 10 minutes! 🤩 If you registered, log in now at crypticsingh.com and refresh the page until the crossword displays Speed counts, but accuracy is more important - review your entries before you submit! 🤓 #USCanadaCrypticCC 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

Poster for US Cryptic Crossword Championship 2026
Organized by Extra-C on CrypticSingh.com
For US residents of any nationality

Every Sunday of July at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern
July 5 - Practice Round
July 12 - Online Round 1
July 19 - Online Round 2
July 26 - Final Leaderboard

Free registration on CrypticSingh.com

Prizes:
Winner $500
Runner-Up $300
2nd Runner-Up $200
Medals for Podium Finishers
Certificates for all State Winners

Poster for Canada Cryptic Crossword Championship 2026
Organized by Extra-C on CrypticSingh.com
For Canada residents of any nationality

Every Sunday of July at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern
July 5 - Practice Round
July 12 - Online Round 1
July 19 - Online Round 2
July 26 - Final Leaderboard

Free registration on CrypticSingh.com

Prizes:
Winner $500
Runner-Up $300
2nd Runner-Up $200
Medals for Podium Finishers
Certificates for all Prov/Terr Winners

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Good luck, have fun, and leave no empty squares. I hope everybody enjoys the puzzle! 🏃‍♀️🧠🏆

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Mo Pelzel @mopelzel.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

I am registered and ready!

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Tomorrow is Round 1 of the US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships! 😀 #USCanadaCrypticCC 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 Puzzle by @mossdef.bsky.social, who edits for AVCX Cryptic and makes top-notch variety cryptics at www.patreon.com/squarechase You can still register (if you live in US or Canada) at crypticsingh.com

Every Sunday of July at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern. Highlighted date is July 12 for Online Round 1.

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Would you like last Sunday's practice round cryptic from the US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships? OK! 😀 I've finally started a blog for my puzzles and wordplay (I'll be adding posts retroactively) 🙃 lowdowncryptic.blogspot.com Enjoy my cryptic and leave a comment here or on the blog 😎

lowdowncryptic.blogspot.com

Lowdown Cryptic

Puzzles and wordplay from Lowdown

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

The US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships are underway! 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 #USCanadaCrypticCC They "kicked" off with my Practice Round cryptic last Sunday – see article below for the fastest finishers! 🤓 It's not too late to register for the two scoring rounds! (July 12 & 19) www.crypticsingh.com

patnapress.com

US and Canada Triple-C 2026 Cryptic Crossword Championships Begin With Strong Participation

Patna: The inaugural editions of the US Triple-C 2026 Crossword Challenge and the Canada Triple-C 2026 Crossword Challenge began simultaneously

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Stella Zawistowski's weekly #crypticclue writing contest still runs every Tuesday on Instagram: www.instagram.com/inteltainmentpuzzles Here's my winning clue from yesterday: Eat around five, I guess? (6)

Screenshot of Instagram post by inteltainmentpuzzles, with angel illustration and cryptic clue-writing contest for the word DIVINE

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships are getting started! 😀 #USCanadaCrypticCC 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 If you're participating, reply or DM with any questions or with your feedback after you solve my Practice Round cryptic today! You can still register (if you live in the US or Canada) at crypticsingh.com

"July 5th, Practice Round" highlighted on Cryptic Crossword Championships schedule; Sundays in July at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Happy 4th and 250th to American friends who are celebrating today 🎉 Wonderful #crypticclue here by Stella Zawistowski (on Instagram) I’m going both ways to acknowledge someone who makes America great (9)

I’m going both ways to acknowledge someone who makes America great (9)

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

If you're a #cryptic #crossword enjoyer, live in #USA or #Canada, and haven't signed up yet... what are you waiting for? US & Canada Cryptic Championships kick off this Sunday (July 5) with a fun Practice Round puzzle by me! 😊 Register now at crypticsingh.com (see reply below) #USCanadaCrypticCC

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

🇨🇦 One-of-a-kind Canada Day treat (5) 🇨🇦 #crypticclue #letterbank #LowdownLetterBank Happy #CanadaDay, everyone from coast to coast to coast! Solve the clue with hints on Cryptick ✅ cryptick.wildvale.co.uk/clue.html#e3... Cupcakes by cravecupcakes.ca #Canada #cryptic competition details below ⬇️

Photo of six Canadian cupcakes from cravecupcakes.ca - two of them are moose faces and one says "Happy Canada Day!"

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

With Toronto hosting '6ix' #WorldCup2026 matches, and #Canada into the Round of 16, it's a great time to re-post my #Toronto #Scrabblegram from a few years ago 🏙️⚽🔠 Happy #CanadaDay for July 1st! 🇨🇦 #WorldCup #Soccer #Scrabble #QueenStreet #The6ix #DiversityOurStrength

Photo of Toronto skyline, with text below:

Toronto

Multicultural “city in a park”
Drake made it “The Six” (a good fit)

Enjoy shops of Queen,
above-average dining,
below-zero winters

Scrabblegram (100 tiles)
Blanks: K and T

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

I'm honored to have been invited to construct one of the puzzles for this cool upcoming #cryptic #crossword tournament. Don't let that scare you away though, it should be a good time! I can't wait to see who demolishes it the fastest.

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

As a Canadian who was born in S.A., I'm looking forward to today's match! #Canada #SouthAfrica #WorldCup2026 Two #cryptic #crossword clues I wrote just now that accurately describe two cities: South African city, but not the capital city (5) Canadian city, but with no rocky peak atop (4) Hints ⬇️

Photos of South African and Canadian soccer fans with text "World Cup 2026, Today's Match, Sunday June 28, Round of 32, 1 Match, South Africa vs. Canada"

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

My fellow Canadians: we're excited for tomorrow's #WorldCup match, but here's another exciting event... Starting on July 5, it's the #Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championship! 🇨🇦 🤩 (there's also a US one) Register for free at www.crypticsingh.com (photo is optional) Please share! #USCanadaCrypticCC

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tpg @tpgrammar.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I've registered and am looking forward to it!

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Pat Cousins @patcousins.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I've registered - looks like fun!

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Two weeks until the start of the US & Canada #Cryptic #Crossword Championships! 🤩🏅💰 NOT just for advanced solvers - we want as many #puzzle lovers and cryptic-curious folk participating as possible! Register for free at www.crypticsingh.com (photo is optional) Please share! #USCanadaCrypticCC 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

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