Eileen

I’ve been doing cryptic crosswords since university days, learning how with a group of friends in coffee breaks. The Guardian crossword has been part of my life for most of the time since. Since retiring from teaching (originally Classics and, subsequently, when that was dropped from the curriculum, mostly English and History), having serendipitously stumbled on 15², I discovered that I could get the Indy and FT puzzles online and so I now add those, when they are set by my favourite compilers. Occasionally, I try the Genius and have even submitted a few. (Some years ago, I won a Collins dictionary in the Guardian Prize lottery, which established it as my referred reference.) I don’t take note of solving times: I enjoy taking time savouring the construction and particularly the surface of clues and always feel slightly disappointed when I finish too quickly. My one regret is my complete failure to enthuse any member of my family with cryptic crosswords.

Guardian 28,366 / Matilda

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A straightforward and enjoyable puzzle from Matilda.   The clues are well-crafted, with smooth and witty surfaces and apt definitions. Matilda’s puzzles sometimes have a theme or a Nina but I can’t see … Read more >>

Guardian 28,359 / Imogen

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Imogen sets the challenge today, with his customary mix of easy and slightly tougher clues, all fair and with smooth and meaningful surfaces. I particularly liked 9, 11 and 25ac and 16dn. Thanks … Read more >>

Guardian 28,352 / Vlad

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Vlad sets the challenge this morning, with a puzzle full of typically ingenious clues and witty surfaces, making for a most enjoyable solve. My favourites were 1,15, 11ac, 5dn, 7dn, 12dn and the … Read more >>

Guardian 28,345 / Carpathian

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It’s Carpathian starting the week with an elegant and well-clued puzzle. Some of the definitions are not the first to spring to mind, which, along with smooth surfaces throughout, made the puzzle  interesting … Read more >>

Guardian 28,336 / Paul

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A rather rudimentary blog today, I’m afraid. I stayed up till midnight to solve the puzzle but did so against a background of the shocking news from America, which made it quite difficult … Read more >>

Guardian 28,323 / Qaos

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It’s down to Qaos to provide the fun this morning – and that means there must be a theme. I have never seen The OFFICE and all I know about it is that … Read more >>

Guardian 28,316 / Vulcan

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Vulcan is back in his regular fortnightly Monday slot. I found this a gently pleasant solve, with some clever anagrams and witty definitions. There are several (good) cryptic definitions but, unusually for a … Read more >>

Guardian 28,314 / Brummie

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I was half expecting a Paul puzzle today but it’s Brummie who rounds off the week. I usually enjoy Brummie’s puzzles but I’m afraid I found this one a disappointingly lacklustre solve, with … Read more >>

Guardian 28,307 / Imogen

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I had a mild attack of the collywobbles yesterday when Trailman said, “Must be the turn of Enigmatist tomorrow” – but it turns out to be Imogen offering the challenge this morning. As … Read more >>

Guardian 28,300 / Nutmeg

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It took a while to get into this but then things began to fall into place, making for an interesting and enjoyable solve. As always with Nutmeg, there are some very clever clues, … Read more >>