iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Given the existence as uttered forth in the public works of Puncher and Wattmann of a personal God quaquaquaqua with white beard quaquaquaqua outside time without extension who from the heights of divine apathia divine athambia divine aphasia loves us dearly with some exceptions for reasons unknown

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

6.5 mpl. #Running in Los Altos hills again, but still taking it easy, walking the ramps (8 weeks now since metatarsal fracture). Oh, and #beer, cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

After last month's published #crossword, I forgot; here are 2 more Hindu #Cryptic xwds by #Gussalufz freely available. "Five Firsts" #Crypticclues 11a. "Am like this" statement of kinky person's sex life (4-10) 15d. Arrays of small pipes constraining toilet area (9) gussalufz.com/thc/2026/gus...

gussalufz.com

THC #14,798: Five Firsts

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

5.0 mpl. Back to #running with baby steps. The metatarsal fracture doesn't seem fully healed, but eff it (the doc had said you can run if you can beat the pain). #Beer by the tree again, cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Re-stumbled upon this while looking for something; worth re-posting for re-smiles. #crossword #cryptic #crypticclue

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

"23-7 (4)" The Hindu Sunday Special #Cryptic #crossword #70, Aug 23, 2026 is by me, setting as #Gussalufz. Two sample #crypticclues. 14a. Choke a potty (4) 18a. Small charges tend to soar while travelling (10)

Picture of crossword grid, with some clues visible.

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Reposted by Viresh Ratnakar

Arula Ratnakar @arula-ratnakar.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

I passed my quals!! I’m a PhD candidate instead of a student now lol

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

2.3 mpl. #Swimming again. Posted this earlier but didn't work (bsky issue maybe?). My "avulsion fracture of the fifth metatarsal" is healing, but no #running for two more weeks, probably. #Beer with my dog, Oona. Cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

2.0 mpl. #Swimming Sunday again, #running is out for some more time. Saw doc, turns out, I had run the SF half marathon on a fractured foot :-). Should heal soon, but only swimming and #beer until it does. Cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

2.5 mpl. #Swimming instead of #running today: last week's SF Half Marathon was slightly foolish (no regrets!): the minor foot sprain feels not so minor now, so no running for a while. But of course, #beer. Cheers!

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Reposted by Viresh Ratnakar

Aaron Riccio @illogicaljoker.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I couldn't attend the Extra-C cryptic championship, but congrats to those who could! On my next stream, which should be Tuesday 8/4 at ~9:00 PM Eastern, I'm going to slow-solve and discuss the three tournament puzzles from: @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social @mossdef.bsky.social @viresh.bsky.social

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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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Day after new #crossword published in paper = another older one freely available on my site: The Hindu #Cryptic from March 26. "Six For Dravid?" #Crypticclues: 26a. Still harbouring a touch of resentment or done? (7) 6d. Separation: wife gets everything (4) gussalufz.com/thc/2026/gus...

gussalufz.com

THC #14,740: Six For Dravid?

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Reposted by Viresh Ratnakar

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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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

"The Truth, Eric?" 4a. Piano finale in Sholay, amidst Gabbar getting shot and beheaded (4,5) 5d. Joint recycling and waste processing centre? (5) Two #crypticclues from my The Hindu #Cryptic #crossword #14,858, published in Wednesday's paper. #Gussalufz

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Reposted by Viresh Ratnakar

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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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

13.1 mpl. #Running, San Francisco Marathon (Half), which somehow worked out despite recent injuries. Ended up with #wine not #beer, for a change. Cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

8.0 mpl. #Running: tested the calves a bit more, ran 8. Hopefully am recovered enough for next Sunday's SF Half. But for now, #beer is the focus. Cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

All the best to those taking part. Hope some fun is had by all!

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Mitch Wagner @mitchwagner.com · 13/07/2026

How Markdown took over the world, by @anildash.com www.anildash.com/2026/01/09/h...

"Nearly every bit of the high-tech world, from the most cutting-edge AI systems at the biggest companies, to the casual scraps of code cobbled together by college students, is annotated and described by the same, simple plain text format. Whether you’re trying to give complex instructions to ChatGPT, or you want to be able to exchange a grocery list in Apple Notes or copy someone’s homework in Google Docs, that same format will do the trick. The wild part is, the format wasn’t created by a conglomerate of tech tycoons, it was created by a curmudgeonly guy with a kind heart who right this minute is probably rewatching a Kubrick film while cheering for an absolutely indefensible sports team."

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

5.1 mpl. Back to #running, hopefully the calves will stay knotting-free. #Helles #beer cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Exet (my free, open-source #crossword construction web app) now supports regional spelling preferences ("No preference", "Britain", "US", or "Canada"). exet.app

exet.app

Exet: Create a crossword

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

The chance to solve a new #cryptic by Steve is reason enough to register! The practice round puzzle this Sunday (July 5) is by me and the championship puzzles are by Steve and @viresh.bsky.social Register now (even if you can’t participate fully) and tell your puzzle people!

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Reposted by Viresh Ratnakar

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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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

5.5 mpl. #Running, nursing tender calves (🐄🐄? :-)). Meeting doc on Tue, hope can fix them before SF half. #Beer now, cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Exet (my free, open source #crossword construction web app) now supports an additional word list option: Nediger List. You can switch back and forth between "Lufz" list and "Nediger List", using a selection menu just under the grid. exet.app

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

The day after a new #crossword published in the paper => another older one is now freely available on my site: The Hindu #Cryptic from Feb 26. "Flying Weapon, Eh?" #Crypticclues: 14a. Nearly bald hero (4) 29a. Perhaps some mother's role in film? (5) gussalufz.com/thc/2026/gus...

gussalufz.com

THC #14,712: Flying Weapon, Eh?

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Nice Pain? 9a. The two of us texted for dinner options? (4) 22a. Spicy stew leads to rectal agony (painful inflammation) (6) Two #crypticclues from my The Hindu #Cryptic #crossword #14,829, published in Thursday's paper. #Gussalufz

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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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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

7.1 mpl. #Running gingerly, testing the calf (it just about held up). Yes a Monday outing this time (yesterday was a binge at Besharam SF). #Beer delivers, Sunday or not. Cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Exolve now allows "landscape" printing + PDF creation. You can also control the number of columns (2 or 3-grid-in-1 or 3-grid-in-2). You can try it out at exolve.app (which, apart from Exolve #crossword files, can also load PUZ, IPUZ, and can simply infer a blocked grid just from clues with enums).

exolve.app

Exolve Player

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Interacting with two distinct #cryptic #crossword editors in parallel (for two completely different crosswords, but both for American consumption) is kinda fun and interesting :-). Both tracks will have test solvers—more fun cometh!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

My crosswords site is accessible at gussalufz.com. In case I somehow lose that domain, the site should still be at viresh-ratnakar.github.io. I've also mirrored the site at viresh-ratnakar.codeberg.page. All my web apps, and all my repositories are also now mirrored at Codeberg:

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Unch Crosswords @unchcrosswords.com · 09/06/2026

As you probably know, Unch is a hobby project. We rely on word of mouth to get in front of people, so if you are able to share about us far and wide I’d really appreciate it. Reposts on here are very much appreciated. Sharing outside of this little bubble even more so!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

7.2 mpl. Slow #running again (hot hills, knotty calf), but oh the sweet gluttony at the end. #Beer, cheers!

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Lowdown Cryptic @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

⭐🇺🇸 Attention, US & Canada Crossword People! 🇨🇦⭐ Free registration is now open for our first-ever national #cryptic #crossword solving championships, online this July! www.crypticsingh.com Prizes for top solvers, fun and challenge for all! 🤓 Please share! Let's make this big 🤩 #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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Reposted by Viresh Ratnakar

Arula Ratnakar @arula-ratnakar.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Sorry, I’m going to post the math threads later, I have been caught up in this amazing experience. This is so amazing. I‘m going to be signing these!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

For the 42 people who might know what I'm taking about: When you copy and paste the text of the clues from a common crossword site (ahem, the G______n) into Exolve Player (exolve.app), hoping to create an interactively solvable version, you might have had trouble ...

exolve.app

Exolve Player

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

7.0 mpl. Slow #running today: Runtime Exceptions: heat, post-covid-booster fatigue, block party last night .. Cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Day after new #crossword = older one freely avlble on my site: The Hindu #Cryptic from Jan'26 Triple Or Nothing gussalufz.com/thc/2025/gus... #Crypticclues: 16d. Is this setter guy friendly? (8) 18d. Smooth transformation that turns female into male? (4,3) Another one with a very Indian theme.

gussalufz.com

THC #14,682: Triple Or Nothing

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

"2x16" 10a. In the morning, milk please (5) 23d. Yes, women at dances like your gym body (6) The paper published my next submission already, this time as a The Hindu Sunday Special #Cryptic #crossword. Two sample #crypticclues. #Gussalufz

Picture of the crossword grid, with some clues visible.

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

7.0 mpl. Slightly sick, slightly sore, but #running and #beer nonetheless. Cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

By George! 1d. Release snake under bulk of relative (7) 23d. Love left to wither, that's nothing new (5) Two #crypticclues from my The Hindu #Cryptic #crossword #14,799, published in Thursday's paper (yes, I've set an extra one for them this month, they went back-to-back with it). #Gussalufz

Picture of crossword grid, with title, byline, subtitle, copyright message, and some clues visible.

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Day after new #crossword = older one freely avlbl: The Hindu #Cryptic Dec'25. "Jayant's Issue?" gussalufz.com/thc/2025/gus... #Crypticclues 12a. Most potent in sack, having extraordinary size (8) 27a. I wish setter, affectionately: "Drop dead" (2,4) Caveat: Theme likely inaccssble for non-desis.

gussalufz.com

THC #14,655: Jayant's Issue?

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Five Firsts 4d. Dung drips, pong spreads (9) 15d. Arrays of small pipes constraining toilet area (9) Two #crypticclues from my The Hindu #Cryptic #crossword #14,798, published in Wednesday's paper. #Gussalufz

Snippet of crossword puzzle, with parts of the grid and some clues visible.

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

8.0 mpl. #Running my T-shaped route to the #beer tree again. Cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

My final #cryptic #crossword in The Browser (ed. Dan Feyer), from November 2025, is now freely available on my site: gussalufz.com/browser/2025... Sample #crypticclue pair: 31a. Obliquely speaks about source of reproductive urges? Gross (8) 25d. Short girdle that hurts downstairs (5)

viresh-ratnakar.github.io

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

#10mpl. #Running (Los Altos Hills Pathways Run 10K) and then #walking another 1.3 hours to reach #beer. Cheers!

Three curious horsies near the start line

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

#13.1 mpl. #Running the Bay Bridge Half Marathon and now a morning #beer (why not!), cheers!

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Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

7.25 mpl. Effing needy-efforty #running today, thank Bob for the #beer ending. Cheers!

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