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 26.042 / Rufus

by

I think Rufus provides his own description of this Monday puzzle in the clue for 27ac, so no more comment here! Across 1 Perhaps he’s right to gamble and drink (7) SHERBET Anagram … Read more >>

Guardian 26,040 / Paul

by

An entertaining and enjoyable puzzle from Paul today – not too difficult but quite a bit of misdirection, one way or another.   As well as some great misdirecting / story-telling surfaces , … Read more >>

Guardian 26,033 / Puck

by

A highly entertaining puzzle from Puck, which turned out to be not so daunting as it looked initially [apart from one piece of parsing which has me completely stumped]. Along with some easy … Read more >>

Guardian 26,019 / Picaroon

by

We seem to be  getting to see Picaroon more frequently, which is more than fine by me. Lots of witty, story-telling surfaces and ingenious constructions, as usual, contributing to a thoroughly enjoyable puzzle. … Read more >>

Guardian 26,012 / Rufus

by

The usual Rufus potpourri of anagrams, double definitions and ‘cryptic’ definitions – some more so than others [one of which I’m not entirely sure of]. Across 1 Where they wash French articles without … Read more >>

Guardian 26,008 / Brendan

by

A pleasant surprise to find Brendan’s name on this puzzle, with another ingenious theme, succinctly indicated at 19 ac. I found the solving of this rather easier than usual for a Brendan but … Read more >>

Guardian 26,003 / Paul

by

Lots of fun and games today – not all to do with solving / parsing the puzzle! Technical problems at the Guardian made providing the clues for the blog a little more problematic … Read more >>

Guardian 25,998 / Gordius

by

I don’t know how many times I [and others] have described a Gordius puzzle as ‘a mixed bag’. Well, here’s another. Those who found Paul’s puzzle yesterday a bit of a struggle will … Read more >>

Guardian 25,988 / Chifonie

by

It’s Chifonie, not Rufus, providing the ‘gentle start to the week’ today, so there’s more in the way of simple charades than double and cryptic definitions, which will please some people. There’s a … Read more >>

Guardian 25,984 / Brendan

by

Another delightful puzzle from Brendan this morning, with a panoply of inventive constructions and witty, story-telling surfaces, with lots of smiles and ahas along the way, revealing an ingenious theme. It’s too difficult … Read more >>

Guardian 25,979 / Tramp

by

It’s always a delight to see Tramp’s name on a puzzle that I’m down to blog – but, as time has gone on, and as he has increasingly demonstrated his prowess in writing … Read more >>