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The Rackenfracker

@therackenfracker.bsky.social
224 followers 42 following 148 posts

Variety puzzles and cryptic diversions. Winner of the inaugural ORCA crossword award for Best Variety Cryptic of the Year.

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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Are we above using cute dog pictures to get you check out our puzzle? Absolutely not. therackenfracker.com/this-episode...
therackenfracker.com
This Episode of Bluey is Called: Crossword
Gotta be done.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Since “crossword“ as a term covers many different sort of word puzzles (variety puzzles, cryptics, NPL forms, cris-crosses, European puzzles with the clues in the grid, etc.,) I am looking for the best adjective to describe the form primarily found in America.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
So while our tribute puzzle therackenfracker.com/in-the-shado... may have been inscrutable to @shadowtodd.bsky.social and many others, you can at least now watch it be competently solved by Katie at Coffee and Crosswords below: m.twitch.tv/videos/28673...
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Not many UK solvers solve The New York Times daily crossword which, from the number of Twitch streams I see of it, is considered the gold standard for American crosswords. And we get why: insular pop culture, sports figures & lingo, politicians & geographic features make it nigh incomprehensible.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
A puzzle with some twists and turns ...
therackenfracker.com
In It for the Long Hall
Baby, I'm a maze.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
The two of us got to meet this weekend and one of our topics of conversation is whether “cryptic brain” exists. US crosswords feel like the overlap between trivia & wordplay while cryptics feels like the overlap between wordplay & symbolic logic. Could be why math and music people dig cryptics?
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Google AI just mixed up Cutting Crew and The Crew Cuts. Cryptic crosswords marked as still safe.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
A puzzle about masters of their domain. therackenfracker.com/yada-yada/
therackenfracker.com
Yada Yada
A puzzle about ... something.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Stuck indoors because of the AQ? We've got a free variety cryptic up to curl up on the couch with: therackenfracker.com/all-stars/
therackenfracker.com
All-Stars
My world's on fire, how 'bout yours?
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
@illogicaljoker.bsky.social Second time in Think Dailies Season 3 where I’m pretty sure I’m right and the game is wrong. A problem with certain kinds of puzzle games; there’s no authority to appeal to, and one’s only recourse is fellow solvers.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
This one might capture your attention. Big thanks to @viresh.bsky.social for helping make it all the cooler. therackenfracker.com/pieces-of-ca...
therackenfracker.com
Pieces of Cake
The world's your oyster.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
Thanks to solvers that reported errors with the online solver for our latest puzzle. It's back and fuller-featured than ever — big shoutout to Alex Boisvert of crosswordnexus.com for the weekend assist on top of all of the other help.
therackenfracker.com
The Three-Boddy Problem
This is getting serious.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
For your puzzling pleasure, we’ve got a second puzzle this week: a non-variety 15x cryptic in @avcx.bsky.social edited by @danfeyer.bsky.social: avxwords.com/puzzles/2066/
avxwords.com
Puzzle – AVCX
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
If you like Clue, this puzzle has a few: therackenfracker.com/the-three-bo...
therackenfracker.com
The Three-Boddy Problem
This is getting serious.
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gnomoncryptics.bsky.social @gnomoncryptics.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Over at the Gnomon, our submission pile is starting to get a little low, so I'll say again--if anyone is interested in submitting a pitch for a variety cryptic, lemme know. We have a guide for constructors here: www.gnomoncryptics.com/spec-sheet/
gnomoncryptics.com
The Gnomon's Guide to Constructors
The Gnomon is interested in publishing high-quality, American-style variety cryptics every other month. Rates, rights and submission We’re hopeful to run puzzles of very different sizes and scales,...
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AVCX Classic @avcx.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Exciting news! On a trial basis for now, AVCX will be providing cryptic clues to Parseword, a new daily game from Josh Wardle (of Wordle fame). Starting this Saturday with work from @jessshulman.bsky.social Give it a try… www.parseword.com
parseword.com
Parseword - A tricky wordplay game
Transform phrases through wordplay to solve cryptic crossword puzzles.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Today's puzzle is more strange than difficult but we hope you'll join the adventure: therackenfracker.com/geneva-conve...
therackenfracker.com
Geneva Conventions
A puzzle that might have you asking for mercy.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Free puzzle! Registration for October's Midwest Crossword Tournament registration is now open (www.mwxwt.com) — this is the cryptic we made for them last fall.
therackenfracker.com
High Way
... the heck?
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
A two-puzzle day, in collaboration with @gnomoncryptics.bsky.social: He edited our new Rackenfracker, and we co-wrote a monster for his latest issue. Hope your pencil sharpener is working.
therackenfracker.com
Flipping Fuses
It's not easy bein' green.
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gnomoncryptics.bsky.social @gnomoncryptics.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Coming next week - The Gnomon closes out its first year with our first three-big-puzzles issue. Contributions from Bob Weisz, Bob Stigger, JonMichael Rasmus, Sean Weitner, and Andy Yingst.
Three empty crossword grids are shown:  One an 11x13 barred grid, one a 15x15 block grid that also has some bars, and one grid on the surface of a 7x7x7 cube that's been unfolded
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Thanks to ORCA voters for picking our puzzle as the variety cryptic of the year(!). We do the rest of our thanking below in this month’s new puzzle post. Reminder that you get 12 puzzles for just $12 by subscribing, plus access to mostly unpruned-for-now archives (including that winning puzzle!).
therackenfracker.com
Settling Scores
It's basically the game ... in reverse.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Congrats to the mighty @mossdef.bsky.social — it's simple mathematics to see that he's hit his 100th puzzle in his Square Chase variety series. We're honored to have contributed a clue to this celebration. True mogmaxxing is subscribing at www.patreon.com/squarechase
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
A free cryptic to commemorate the ballot release for the ORCA crossword awards (and congrats to the other nominees) therackenfracker.com/in-the-shado...
therackenfracker.com
In the Shadows
To celebrate our ORCA nomination, we look into the Dark Souls of popular music.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
One at the forefront of “calamitous scenario” chat! (5,8)
newyorker.com
What a “Melania” Cinematographer Hoped to Accomplish
Dante Spinotti has had a legendary Hollywood career. Why is he making propaganda for the Trump family?
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
This puzzle has interesting properties therackenfracker.com/concerning-d...
therackenfracker.com
Concerning Developments
This too shall pass ....
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Great cause + great puzzles alert: The ORCA Crossword Awards are sending out all 84 nominated puzzles for those who make a donation to @trevorproject.bsky.social. This includes 9 block-style cryptics and 10 variety cryptics, and we're honored to have High Definition and Fantastic Fours in the set. +
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 26/12/2025
If you play with words, you should play Raddle, a top “new thing in 2025” in our books. Our own @dadgumituh.bsky.social contributed another such recommendation for today’s edition: raddle.quest/2025/12/26
raddle.quest
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 25/12/2025
The journey we’re always striving for. Happy holidays, Jeff.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
How about some board gaming for the holidays? therackenfracker.com/pirate-pirat...
therackenfracker.com
Pirate, Pirate, Gardener
Yo ho hoe.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Reminder: This is approximately *half* of the correspondence that goes into writing a year's worth of puzzles.
Discord wrap-up statistic showing that one of us wrote 12,270 messages in The Rackenfrackatorium
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
I have definitions in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and wordplay the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Unlike Taylor, we hope you *do* like our little games — therackenfracker.com/unintended-c...
therackenfracker.com
Unintended Consequences
Look! What we made ... you do?
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gnomoncryptics.bsky.social @gnomoncryptics.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
Gnomon issue 4 is coming in one week, with five more variety cryptics. Now featuring more blocks than ever! With puzzles by @longyfan.bsky.social @matttheshirt.bsky.social @therackenfracker.bsky.social and @juffowup.bsky.social
Five overlapping crossword grids.  Two are 15x15 blocked grids, one 11x11 barred grid with circles, a 7x7 block/bar hybrid, and a 10x10 barred grid with 4 blocks.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
If you love cryptics, you’ve probably asked “why aren’t there more, and more fans of them?” The tl;dr is that people can only fall for them if they encounter them, and so first love scales with the publishers. There are precious few; AVCX is a good one. Consider adding their puzzles to your week.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
If you like cracking cryptic clues for longer words, this one’s on target. therackenfracker.com/eights-and-n...
therackenfracker.com
Eights and Nines
Our attempt at a slightly easier hard puzzle — bulls***! (You’ll have to decide whether it’s an “eye” or a “hit.”)
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
We've got a new puzzle and some new slang: therackenfracker.com/sixes-and-se...
therackenfracker.com
Sixes and Sevens
Middle schoolers are going nuts right now.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Thanks to those who played along for our series of instructionless puzzles. Out of curiosity, how would you feel about ... no grid? therackenfracker.com/fracks-in-fi...
therackenfracker.com
Fracks in Five
If you think our puzzles defy categorization, well, let's hope you're wrong this time.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
Here's the thing*: therackenfracker.com/fantastic-fo... (* Not actually related to the comic/movie at all, sorry.)
therackenfracker.com
Fantastic Fours
When it's your turn, it's 90°.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Sometimes we-a give you helpful instructions, but indicia case, we don't. therackenfracker.com/high-c/
therackenfracker.com
High ©
A gimmick that's got it where it counts.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Delighted to be back in @avcx.bsky.social with another puzzle, edited by @mossdef.bsky.social. It’s a 15x cryptic with no shenanigans other than, you know, everything. avxwords.com/puzzles/1846/
avxwords.com
Puzzle – AVCXTwitterFacebookTwitterFacebook
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gnomoncryptics.bsky.social @gnomoncryptics.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
First full issue of The Gnomon is live now, with five puzzles from @longyfan.bsky.social , @bewilderingly.bsky.social, and @juffowup.bsky.social , and from guest editors @joeadultman.bsky.social and Skaldskaparmal. www.gnomoncryptics.com
gnomoncryptics.com
The Gnomon
Variety cryptic crosswords
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
A puzzle that will you a clear picture of our cryptic sensibilities: therackenfracker.com/high-definit...
therackenfracker.com
High Definition
Today's puzzle is HDMI*-compatible. (*Handleable despite missing instructions.)
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
We're thrilled to have provided today's minutecryptic.com clue. We looked to see what solvers thought of our first clue — if they want more of our mischief, they can find it at therackenfracker.com. #minutecryptic
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
If you found our last puzzle to be a doozy, you'll be happy to hear we've got a fun, fair puzzle for your amusement today — and for once the instructions give you all you'll need to play.
therackenfracker.com
High Roller
Step right up.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Very happy to have written the clue for today's #minutecryptic (www.minutecryptic.com) — hopefully the first of many of our clues you'll see there. If you're new to us, we've got free puzzles aplenty and even more for subscribers: therackenfracker.com/new-to-you-p...
therackenfracker.com
New-to-You Puzzles
We'd like to introduce Browser subscribers to the puzzles of the Rackenfracker, and Rackenfracker subscribers to our new puzzle in The Browser!
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
"These variety cryptics, those instructions can get so long!" We hear you, and we're doing something about it.
therackenfracker.com
High Stakes
😬
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Two-puzzle day! Delighted to have worked with our friends at patreon.com/CrypticCrossweird on a timely little variety puzzle, and we decided to commemorate the occasion with an even littler free variety puzzle ...
patreon.com
Get more from Cryptic Crossweird on Patreon
indie cryptic crosswords
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Face it, solver, you just hit the jackpot. therackenfracker.com/all-cherry-n...
therackenfracker.com
All Cherry, No Lemon
Katy, BAR BAR BAR the door — there's trickiness afoot.
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
We're very happy to be making our TheBrowser.com debut today with a feisty little cryptic crossword we think you'll enjoy. If you've found us because of The Browser, welcome, and have we got some puzzles for you.
therackenfracker.com
New-to-You Puzzles
We'd like to introduce Browser subscribers to the puzzles of the Rackenfracker, and Rackenfracker subscribers to our new puzzle in The Browser!
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The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
We're back with a tricky conjunction fun variety cryptic: therackenfracker.com/parts-of-spe...
therackenfracker.com
Parts of Speech
A noun-verbed puzzle that will verb pronoun verb, "Exclamation!"
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