Puzzles in the News | StickyPuzzles Puzzles in the news ------------------- A hand-picked roundup of the most interesting news, trends, and talking points in puzzles, games, and brain teasers. [ All News ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news) [ Weekly Puzzle Digest ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/category/weekly-puzzle-digest) All tags The business of Puzzles Research Paper Sticky Puzzle Technology Health Education Lifestyle Science Media Crosswords Sudoku Accessibility People & Personality History Books Puzzle Products Social Media & Influencers AI Travel Puzzle Launches Copyright & Legal Solving Strategies - [ ![Eonline - Gabrielle Chung | Image - NY Times](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/a-new-york-times-magazine-sunday-crossword-error-causes-first-ever-unsolvable-puzzle/thumbnail) ](https://www.eonline.com/news/1431212/new-york-times-sunday-crossword-mistake) - [ Media ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/media) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ Solving Strategies ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/solving-strategies) ### [ A New York Times Magazine Sunday Crossword Error Causes First-Ever Unsolvable Puzzle ](https://www.eonline.com/news/1431212/new-york-times-sunday-crossword-mistake) April 2026 | Eonline - Gabrielle Chung | Image - NY Times A misprint in the April 19 issue of New York Times Magazine rendered the publication's crossword unsolvable for the first time in its 84-year history. The puzzle—created by Michael Lieberman and titled "Nuclear Fusion"—was published in the April 19 issue of the New York Times Magazine without a clue for 5-across. [ Read Article ](https://www.eonline.com/news/1431212/new-york-times-sunday-crossword-mistake) - [ ![Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/methode_times_prod_web_bin_b49524e9-7dca-4958-907d-19fde311801a.jpg) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2024/06/07/crossword-creators-series-p12-richard-rogan-the-pioneer-of-modern-times-cryptics/) - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality) - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history) ### [ Crossword Creators: Richard Rogan – The Pioneer of Modern Times Cryptics ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2024/06/07/crossword-creators-series-p12-richard-rogan-the-pioneer-of-modern-times-cryptics/) April 2026 | Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles After exploring the enigmatic crossword creators from across the globe, we turn our focus to the UK and delve into the life of Richard Rogan, the illustrious editor of The Times Crossword. Rogan, celebrated for his clever wordplay and innovative contributions, transformed the world of British crosswords with his unique style and editorial acumen [ Read Article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2024/06/07/crossword-creators-series-p12-richard-rogan-the-pioneer-of-modern-times-cryptics/) - [ ![XWords4All - A blog about digital puzzles](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image-5.jpeg) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/25/crossword-creators-series-p11-michel-laclos-the-french-virtuoso-who-brought-poetry-to-puzzles/) - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality) - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history) ### [ Crossword Creators: Michel Laclos – The French Virtuoso Who Brought Poetry to Puzzles ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/25/crossword-creators-series-p11-michel-laclos-the-french-virtuoso-who-brought-poetry-to-puzzles/) March 2026 | XWords4All - A blog about digital puzzles After traversing the crossword landscapes of America and Britain, we now set our sights on France to explore the life of Michel Laclos, a man who was not just a crossword setter but also a linguistic virtuoso. Laclos brought a unique European flair to the crossword art form, blending sophistication and poetic clues in a way that was distinctly French. [ Read Article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/25/crossword-creators-series-p11-michel-laclos-the-french-virtuoso-who-brought-poetry-to-puzzles/) - [ ![Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles|Photo Credit: TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTD](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F59434818-7388-11e7-8eac-856e9b33761e.jpg?crop=1020%2C574%2C25%2C29&resize=1500) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/20/crossword-creators-series-adrian-bell-the-british-farmer-who-cultivated-the-cryptic-crossword/) - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality) - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history) ### [ Crossword Creators: Adrian Bell – The British Farmer Who Cultivated the Cryptic Crossword ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/20/crossword-creators-series-adrian-bell-the-british-farmer-who-cultivated-the-cryptic-crossword/) February 2026 | Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles|Photo Credit: TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTD It’s time to turn our attention to a man who was not just a wordsmith but also a British farmer and writer. Meet Adrian Bell, the pioneer who sowed the seeds for the cryptic crossword in The Times back in 1930. With his unique blend of fairness, literary flair, and humour, Bell transformed the crossword landscape, setting the gold standard for puzzles in the UK. [ Read full article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/20/crossword-creators-series-adrian-bell-the-british-farmer-who-cultivated-the-cryptic-crossword/) - [ ![Observer - Caitlin O'Kane | Image Credit - Antonio Olmos](https://cdn.slowdownwiseup.co.uk/media/original_images/89352.jpeg.2500x0_q70.webp) ](https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-end-of-an-era-and-a-celebration-to-come) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality) ### [ Azed’s clue-writing competition: the end of an era, and a celebration to come ](https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-end-of-an-era-and-a-celebration-to-come) January 2026 | Observer - Caitlin O'Kane | Image Credit - Antonio Olmos Once a month, for 80 years, something unusual has happened in The Observer. A cryptic crossword appears with one clue marked by an asterisk. But that clue isn’t cryptic at all. It’s a simple definition. Solvers complete the grid and find the word. Then the game inverts. Solvers become compilers. They write their own cryptic clue for that word and send it in to be judged. [ Read Article ](https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-end-of-an-era-and-a-celebration-to-come) - [ ![Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/5e84c03211541400178e38e2.png) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/19/crossword-creators-series-vladimir-portugalov-the-mathematician-who-cracked-the-crossword-code/) - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality) - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history) ### [ Crossword Creators: Vladimir Portugalov – The Mathematician Who Cracked the Crossword Code ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/19/crossword-creators-series-vladimir-portugalov-the-mathematician-who-cracked-the-crossword-code/) January 2026 | Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles In this instalment of our ‘Crossword Creators’ series, we delve into the life and work of Vladimir Portugalov, a mathematician turned crossword constructor who brought a unique analytical approach to the world of puzzles. Known for his intricate designs and mathematical precision, Portugalov has left an indelible mark on the crossword community. [ Read full article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/19/crossword-creators-series-vladimir-portugalov-the-mathematician-who-cracked-the-crossword-code/) - [ ](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2025-11-24/crossword-history-natan-last) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality) ### [ The crossword has a radical history. A puzzle veteran explores why ](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2025-11-24/crossword-history-natan-last) December 2025 | Los Angeles Times - Mark Athitakis In August, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani hosted a citywide scavenger hunt, inviting voters to scour the boroughs in search of historic political sites. (Grand prize: a bag of chips.) Clues for it were written by veteran puzzle maker Natan Last, who has long endorsed the idea that puzzles at their best blend politics, community and a nerdy good time. [ Read full article ](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2025-11-24/crossword-history-natan-last) - [ ![Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles](https://tryhardguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/featured-crossword-clue-asterisks-781x439.jpg) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/18/crossword-creators-series-shuchi-uralikandi-the-linguistic-trailblazer/) - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality) - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history) ### [ Crossword Creators: Shuchi Uralikandi – The Linguistic Trailblazer ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/18/crossword-creators-series-shuchi-uralikandi-the-linguistic-trailblazer/) December 2025 | Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles Today it is the turn of a puzzle creator who has left an indelible mark on the crossword community. Today, we turn our spotlight to Shuchi Uralikandi, a crossword constructor whose journey is as captivating as the puzzles she masterfully crafts. Her path to prominence is marked not only by her linguistic prowess but also breaking gender barriers within the crossword community. [ Read full article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/18/crossword-creators-series-shuchi-uralikandi-the-linguistic-trailblazer/) - [ ![The Telegraph - Chris Lancaster | Image Credit - Lorne Campbell (Guzelian)](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/mnd-has-shattered-my-life-but-i-m-determined-to-find-joy-in-the-little-time-i-have-left/thumbnail) ](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas-charity-appeal/2025/11/29/telegraph-puzzles-editor-mnd-journey/) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality) ### [ MND has shattered my life. But I’m determined to find joy in the little time I have left ](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas-charity-appeal/2025/11/29/telegraph-puzzles-editor-mnd-journey/) November 2025 | The Telegraph - Chris Lancaster | Image Credit - Lorne Campbell (Guzelian) There aren’t many illnesses for which there is no respite, no treatment and no cure, and which carry a guaranteed death sentence, normally within two to three years. Motor neurone disease (MND) is one of them, which is why it was a shock to be diagnosed with it in December 2023, at the comparatively young age of 52. [ Read full article ](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas-charity-appeal/2025/11/29/telegraph-puzzles-editor-mnd-journey/) - [ ![Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles|Photo Credit: Saxton.com.au](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image.png) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/17/crossword-creators-series-david-astle-the-cryptic-wordsmith/) - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality) - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history) ### [ Crossword Creators: David Astle – The Cryptic Wordsmith ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/17/crossword-creators-series-david-astle-the-cryptic-wordsmith/) November 2025 | Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles|Photo Credit: Saxton.com.au In our ongoing ‘Crossword Creators’ series, we now turn our spotlight to David Astle, a cryptic crossword constructor whose puzzles have tantalized and intrigued solvers worldwide. Renowned for his intricate and mind-bending cryptic crosswords, Astle has become a prominent figure in the world of wordplay and puzzle-solving [ Read full article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/17/crossword-creators-series-david-astle-the-cryptic-wordsmith/) - [ ![Observer - Caitlin O'Kane | Image Credit - Antonio Olmos](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/how-azed-and-gemelo-create-their-crosswords/thumbnail) ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpcMqY71UVE&t=3s) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality) - [ Solving Strategies ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/solving-strategies) ### [ How Azed and Gemelo create their crosswords ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpcMqY71UVE&t=3s) October 2025 | Observer - Caitlin O'Kane | Image Credit - Antonio Olmos The Observer sat down with Azed himself, Jonathan Crowther, for his first video interview with us. We visited Jonathan at his home, spending time in his study and garden, talking about 52 years of setting puzzles and what goes into creating the crossword that crossword compilers love most. [ Watch Video ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpcMqY71UVE&t=3s) - [ ![The Times - Mick Hodgkin | Image Credit - Stewart Williams](https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/%2F635bd418-5e87-466b-b544-5438c3200462.jpg?crop=3754%2C2112%2C0%2C196&format=webp&quality=9&resize=1500) ](https://www.thetimes.com/puzzles/quizzes-teasers/article/ai-solver-times-cryptic-crossword-champion-dgn62jmv5) - [ Media ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/media) - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords) - [ AI ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/ai) ### [ AI solver fails to outsmart Times cryptic crossword champion ](https://www.thetimes.com/puzzles/quizzes-teasers/article/ai-solver-times-cryptic-crossword-champion-dgn62jmv5) October 2025 | The Times - Mick Hodgkin | Image Credit - Stewart Williams Darmok, a program created by a professor in Texas, failed in the semi-final of the annual contest in which Mark Goodliffe won his 14th title [ Read full article ](https://www.thetimes.com/puzzles/quizzes-teasers/article/ai-solver-times-cryptic-crossword-champion-dgn62jmv5)