I like puzzles. Even though word puzzles are my favorite type of solving fun, I also enjoy logic puzzles. That's why I have a
Dell Logic Puzzle Magazine at my elbow.
What is a Logic Puzzle?
Logic puzzles are basically match-it games. For example, a puzzle might have a list of five names, five television channels, and five programs. Your job would be to correctly match who is watching which television channel and program. A series of clues are provided to logically deduce the correct answers. A helpful grid to keep track of the information is also usually provided.
Magazine Description
Each magazine contains over 50 logic puzzles on 130 pages. A section in front of the magazine goes into detail regarding how to solve the puzzles. Solving tips are included.
The logic puzzles start with a paragraph that outlines the situation that needs to be solved. Then a list of clues is provided, usually between 5 and 10. A grid is also available to help sift through and organize the information.
Every puzzle is rated from easy to very challenging. Each puzzle has a byline with the creator's name. The solutions to the puzzles are at the back of the magazine and go into great detail on how the answers were deducted.
My Experiences
I enjoy logic puzzles, but I am not a dedicated logic puzzle solver. I like puzzle variety, and find that many of the variety puzzle magazines offer enough logic puzzles to keep me happy. There is a great variety of puzzles inside each issue of the Dell Logic Puzzle magazine. While the puzzles often follow the traditional logic puzzle setup, some of the puzzles are different to present a new challenge. For instance, a "crosshatch" grid may not be present. Instead, a "fill-in" grid is offered. Or there could be two types of grids included.
I also like it that the puzzles are rated by difficulty level. I always start with the simpler puzzles and work my way into the more difficult ones. The easier puzzles are quick for me to solve. Once in a while I might finish a more challenging one, but only after weeks of working at it! And I mean weeks. It's like nibbling at a particularly hard to digest biscuit.
The grids that come as part of the logic puzzles are a definite help in sorting out the clues. For instance, if a puzzle lists five people, five television channels, and five television shows (and asks that I match which person watches which channel and show) … the grid arranges those names, channels and shows in a spreadsheet format. As I deduce that it wasn't Jack who watched the news show, I can place an X in the grid so that I remember that information. Eventually, if I do it right, I am left with the right solution.
These puzzles definitely make me think. Some of the clues provided in the more difficult puzzles are clues within clues. They have to be examined a variety of ways to make sure every fact has been wrung out of them.
I use either a ballpoint pen or a gel pen to solve these puzzles. I have always found it difficult to use pencil. The pencil doesn't stand out enough against the paper. When working on the more difficult puzzles, I will use an Erasermate pen. That way I have the dark ink I prefer, and I can erase the pen if I make an error in marking the grid.
Purchasing
This magazine comes out six times a year. A one year subscription costs $19.97 US / $24.97 International.
Summary
While I enjoy logic puzzles, I've discovered that I prefer a mixed variety puzzle magazine that includes logic puzzles. A dedicated magazine of logic puzzles is nice to have on hand, but I'm less likely to open the
Dell Logic Puzzle Magazine than one of my other puzzle magazines.
Buy this magazine if you are truly a logic puzzle devotee. Otherwise, I recommend a general variety puzzle magazine to fill the occasional logic puzzle craving.
I hope you found this review useful.
Enjoy the day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Please read my other reviews:
Approved Variety Puzzles Plus Crosswords (magazine)
Master’s Variety Puzzles Plus (magazine)
Sudoku and More! (magazine)
Dell Pocket Crossword Puzzles (magazine)
Good Time Word Seek (magazine)
Pogo.com (online games)
Mahjongg Master Deluxe Suite (software)
Puzzle Master Deluxe Suite (jigsaw puzzle software)
Copyright 2007 Dawn L. Stewart
