• by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, December 13, 2016

If the phrase “Puzzle Spectacular” strikes you as inherently comical, this probably isn’t for you – but if it makes you want to start lining up freshly sharpened pencils, read on!

Puzzle fans have extra reason for good cheer this holiday season, thanks to The New York Times Magazine section, which is producing a special “Puzzle Spectacular” broadsheet section for the newspaper’s Sunday edition on December 18.

In a move sure to please puzzle purists, the special issue will be available only in print.

What goes into a Puzzle Spectacular? It’s all about the size and variety of the puzzles involved. The issue’s flagship puzzle, as it were, is the largest crossword ever published by the NYT, supported a flotilla of more than 30 other games, including logic puzzles, Sudoku, acrostics, “cryptic” crosswords and visual puzzles.

The Puzzle Spectacular was edited by NYT crossword icon Will Shortz and the newspaper’s crack puzzle team. It’s actually the second special section produced by the NYT Magazine, following the newspaper’s publication in August of an exclusive excerpt from "The Underground Railroad," the critically acclaimed novel by Colson Whitehead.

The NYT plans to produce a large number of additional special broadsheet sections in 2017.

NYT Magazine editor-in-chief Jake Silverstein stated: “Fans of The New York Times Crossword are among our most loyal readers and subscribers. This special print-only section--go out and get it!--is a holiday gift to those fans and an addictive introduction for puzzle newbies.”

The price of The New York Times home delivery subscription will increase in January. Earlier this month, subscribers received an email notifying them of the price increase, which will take effect January 2.