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Puzzle - WSJ 20231216

https://www.wsj.com/articles/departure-saturday-variety-puzzle-december-16-de057e8a

Please click Download PDF

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Solution for previous - WSJ 20231118

https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/PuzAnswer11252023.pdf

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As always, for best results download & save the file, then open & print.
(In Preview mode check if the Fit button provides a larger grid)

The solution is usually available a week later. Use the Variety puzzle link.

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Previous puzzles & threads can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/pyvfuwg

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Browse the site for other puzzles.
https://www.wsj.com/news/puzzle

There is a new button for Variety puzzles:
https://www.wsj.com/news/types/variety-puzzle?mod=breadcrumb

Cryptics are often posted under Variety, but earlier ones reside here if labelled correctly:
https://www.wsj.com/news/types/cryptic?mod=breadcrumb

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Considerably more challenging than usual, truly ingenious. Thanks, syzzie!

Posted here.....

https://crosswordfiend.com/2023/12/15/saturday-december-16-2023/

For fans of Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, this is a bittersweet day. They’re retiring, and the Saturday WSJ variety puzzle will be their last cryptic, at least on a regular basis. (It’s titled Departure, and instructions ask you to find 14 letters that “tell you what we’ll be doing as we take our bow.”)

That's a shame. I don't do them regularly but they are good fun. Time to go back and check out the ones that I've missed. I'm 98% complete on this current one. A couple that I haven't solved yet and a couple of queries but I understand the departures and know what they'll be doing as they take their bow.

Thanks Emily & Henry for the ride.

The gremlins seem to have got into the numbering, Ash is on leave until after the New Year but I will report the issue to him.

Simond9x, I share your sentiments. I always enjoy their puzzles.

Thanks syzygy - I don't do them regularly but I'm glad I didn't miss this one (a good note to end on - quite a bit tougher than usual, I think).

They will ever be my favorite setters. The Atlantic went on the skids after their departure; now it’s just another smarmy political rag.

Thanks Syz, and thanks Simon for that, it was a nice puzzle and will be sad to see them go.

They come across as great fun, there is an interview - of sorts - with them here...

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/crosswords/who-made-my-puzzle-cox-rathvon.html

Happy new year all.

M

Thanks again syzygy, much more like their Atlantic offerings, very enjoyable.