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 28,412 / Pasquale

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Pasquale sets the challenge today, with, I think, a reasonably gentle puzzle. There’s an interesting range of topics, with, as always, meticulous cluing and some ingenious constructions, along with often clever and witty … Read more >>

Guardian 28,405 / Carpathian

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I began my blog of Carpathian’s last cryptic offering with ‘It’s Carpathian starting the week with an elegant and well-clued puzzle.’ I could say the same today. There are suggestions on the Guardian … Read more >>

Guardian 28,403 / Boatman

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It’s Boatman rounding off the week with a themed puzzle. The theme is indicated by CO, which didn’t ring any bells at all, so I ignored those clues on the first run through … Read more >>

Guardian 28,396 / Crucible

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A Thursday treat for me – it’s Crucible setting the challenge this morning, with an interesting puzzle with lots of cleverly constructed clues and witty surfaces, as usual. I think 1ac introduces a … Read more >>

Guardian 28,382 / Pasquale

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  It’s Pasquale setting the challenge today – and, in parts, it was quite a challenge but, as always with this setter, meticulously clued and therefore ultimately solvable. There are quite a few … Read more >>

Guardian 28,375 / Vulcan

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Vulcan starts the week with a straightforward and enjoyable puzzle, containing some excellent anagrams to help things along. There are some very nice surfaces, too. Thanks to Vulcan for the puzzle. Definitions are … Read more >>

Guardian 28,373 / Brummie

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After what a number of commenters have called a tough week, we have a more straightforward puzzle from Brummie to round it off. We never know whether or not to expect a theme … Read more >>

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 >>