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 27,985 / Enigmatist

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It’s a couple of years since I blogged an Enigmatist puzzle – always a challenge but I think his puzzles have become [even] more difficult recently [and I know I’m not the only … Read more >>

Guardian 27,978 / Boatman

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It’s Boatman providing the challenge today, with a theme that must surely be unmissable. Today, it was not so much a case of spotting the theme as chasing down some knotty parsing but … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 27,968 / Crucible

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Last Friday’s blogger, Andrew, said that he was confidently expecting a Paul puzzle that day. When that didn’t happen, I was equally confidently expecting a Paul puzzle on Saturday, since there hadn’t been … Read more >>

Guardian 27,973 / Qaos

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From the preamble to the last Qaos puzzle I blogged, in July: ‘It’s always a real pleasure to find Qaos’ name on a puzzle I’m down to blog – except there’s always pressure, … Read more >>

Guardian 27,964 / Brummie

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A fairly straightforward puzzle from Brummie, with some interesting and witty clues. I enjoyed solving it. Brummie’s puzzles more often than not have a theme. His most recent one, which I blogged, didn’t … Read more >>

Guardian 27,957 / Chifonie

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A characteristic Monday medley from Chifonie, with  really neat surfaces throughout – mostly straightforward, with one or two slight niggles, noted below. Thanks to Chifonie for easing us into the week. Definitions are … Read more >>

Guardian 27,955 / Puck

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It’s always good to see Puck’s name on a puzzle but, having missed the Irish racecourses in his last one, I was perhaps a bit more nervous than usual in setting out on … Read more >>

Guardian 27,948 / Brummie

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Brummie sets the challenge today. I found this pretty straightforward, with just one or two more unusual words or usages and a couple of not very cryptic definitions but overall an enjoyable solve … Read more >>

Guardian 27,941 /Arachne

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A real treat from Arachne this morning, sparkling as ever with ingenuity, wit and wonderful surfaces. As usual, there are far too many favourites to list, so I’ll leave that to you. Many … Read more >>

Guardian 27,934 / Puck

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It’s good to get a Puck puzzle to blog on my return from holiday. [Thanks to Duncan and Pierre for standing in for me while I was away.] I found it fairly straightforward, … Read more >>

Guardian 27,918 / Vlad

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Vlad provides this morning’s challenge. The puzzle contains trenchant comment, in both clues and answers, on our current woeful situation, in Vlad’s inimitable style. There’s some very clever cluing and ingenious devices – … Read more >>