Andrew

I started off on Everyman in The Observer, and began solving Azed while I was a student at Cambridge (reading maths) shortly after it started. I do the Guardian puzzle most days and others sporadically. In real life I work as a software developer (still in Cambridge), and for non-crossword recreation play the piano and am involved in amateur theatre.

Guardian 28,677 – Paul

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I made a promising start on my first pass through the clues, but rather struggled to finish it offl as is often the case, it all looks reasonably straightforward in retrospect. The subject … Read more >>

Guardian 28,670 – Tramp

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I found this a bit easier than usual for a Tramp, despite some well-concealed definitions and quite intricate constructions, including a number of anagrams where the fodder included some extra letters. Very enjoyable … Read more >>

Guardian 28,663 – Fed

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I liked this a lot – very ingenious clueing, with some great misdirection. Thanks to Fed.   Across 1 STRATA Jump across, initially moving right to left, to arrive at different levels (6)START … Read more >>

Guardian 28,656 – Vulcan

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Lots of helpful anagrams and other straightforward constructions here (and not a single cryptic definition), making a puzzle that would be good for “beginners and those in a hurry”, to borrow the Quiptic’s … Read more >>

Guardian 28,647 – Vlad

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The impaler is in a fairly gentle mood today: a couple of entries may be unfamiliar, but are helpfully clued. Thanks to Vlad.   Across 1 DEAN OF FACULTY Restructure due — can’t lay … Read more >>

Azed 2585

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The first Azed after the Christmas special is traditionally supposed a bit gentler than usual, but that wasn’t my experience with this one. All sorted in the end, though. Thanks to Azed, and … Read more >>

Guardian 28,640 – Boatman

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A tricky puzzle from Boatman today, though maybe not reaching the level of one self-describing answer. There’s an obvious theme of punctuation marks, found in many of the clues and some of the … Read more >>

Guardian 28,634 – Fed

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Fed has now appeared four times in the Guardian: he’s also seen – rather more frequently – in the Independent as Bluth. I found this quite tricky in places, but with some easy … Read more >>

Guardian 28,627 – Pan

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A brief but enjoyable solve, suitable for those who like to be eased gently into their crosswording week, Thanks to Pan.   Across 1 LIMBURGER Cheese and fruit mostly served with minced beef … Read more >>

Guardian 28,618 – Anto

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I’ll never be Anto’s greatest fan, but this was competently done, albeit with a few iffy moments, and I’m irritated by the misspelling at 26a. Thanks to Anto.   Across 1 FADDISH Trendy … Read more >>

Guardian 28,611 – Qaos

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Not too much trouble for me from Qaos today, though my lack of sporting knowledge makes me uncertain of one parsing. Today’s theme is of things found in a bathroom, with the impressively … Read more >>

Azed 2579

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A gentle walk in the park (relatively speaking) after the previous week’s tricky Letters Latent. Thanks to Azed.   Across 1 SVARABHAKTI Kasbah TV air waves demonstrating vocalic development (11)(KASBAH TV AIR)* – … Read more >>

Guardian 28,604 – Imogen

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I found this quite a tough one, though in retrospect everything is soundly clued. A couple of bits of general knowledge might cause some trouble. Thanks to Imogen   Across 9 CHIPOLATA Some … Read more >>