Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? A weekly meta crossword constructed by forum member Ben (aka benchen71). These metas range from relatively easy to more challenging, depending on how many Australianisms he puts in them! Puzzles are posted in a new thread every Tuesday, with nudges appearing on Saturdays, and the solution coming out on Mondays. (At least, that's the plan. Given he lives in Australia, and they are so far ahead of the US time-zone-wise, things may get posted early!)
Can you storm the castle by getting across the MOAT? This puzzle marks a milestone in my career as a puzzle creator. But, not wanting to spoil anything - any more than the puzzle title already does! - you're just going to have to jump in and start solving. The answer to the meta is my personal favourite of the last 39 across. (Let me know in the comments if you agree!)
PM me with your submissions or submit on Crosshare. Either way, I'll compile a list of those who successfully solve the meta.
Last edited by benchen71 on Sun Aug 07, 2022 7:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Castle stormed. Fun, thx. Also went back and did the answer for good measure (also fun).
Check out this very cool project by many of your favorite muggles to raise money to fight cancer. You get a fun puzzle bundle and good causes get $. Win-win: Crosswords for Cancer
Congrats, Ben, and thanks for the puzzle. I've crossed the moat, and I will have to give your favorite a try.
Edit: tried it, liked it - thanks again!
Last edited by MarkWoychick on Tue Aug 02, 2022 5:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 contest-style (meta) crosswords that we've created to help raise money for cancer-related organizations - get the bundle at http://crosswordsforcancer.com
This is fun, trying to manage two separate lists of solvers! If I make a mistake, please forgive me. Here's the list of solvers for "Happy Anniversary":
Schmeel
Meg
Hector
boharr
kymike
rjy
Cindy Heisler
whimsy
ajk
Mwoychick
Carolyn
dplass
Gutman
DIS
ChrisKochmanski
Laura M
Jeremy Smith
hoover
That's 18 so far. Thanks for the encouraging comments, too. I'm enjoying seeing which MOATs have been your favourites.
Last edited by benchen71 on Wed Aug 03, 2022 7:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
Slipped over the moat during a lightning storm in Jacksonville.
Classic Ben - I came up with about 7 alternate mechanisms and answers until the only true answer revealed itself to me with a "Well of course that is what you must do! That describes so many of Ben's fine puzzles.
Oh, by the way, as I pointed out to Ben. Atlanta has a team called the Kookaburras so he could have swung one of his clues that way if he had wished!
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
Thanks for a year's worth of puzzles, Ben 
I was way too slow to get this one!