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 25,375 / Paul

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This is vintage Paul – some very clever cluing and lots to entertain and raise a smile. Enough said! Many thanks, Paul. Across 1   FEWEST: F[our] + E[ast] + WEST 9   DAMNATION: DAM … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 25,346 / Pasquale

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An entertaining puzzle from Pasquale, in which we were told that six solutions were undefined in their clues, with five lying within the bounds of the sixth. I think non-UK residents might have … Read more >>

Guardian 25,351 / Tramp

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I’ve been looking forward to Tramp’s second Guardian cryptic, having blogged his début Fawlty Towers-themed puzzle, so I was very pleased to land this one, too. I didn’t detect a theme this time … Read more >>

Guardian 25,341 / Rufus

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Monday morning and a fairly typical Rufus, I think, although the cryptic definitions are perhaps slightly less cryptic than usual and some double definitions are rather similar in meaning – but the surfaces … Read more >>

Guardian 25,337 / Crucible

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I was delighted to see Crucible’s name on this puzzle and I was not disappointed.  His crosswords often have a theme and here we have a nice cheerful one, with no obscurities, I … Read more >>

Guardian 25,327 / Pasquale

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A fairly gentle puzzle from Pasquale to round off a week of good puzzles: nothing too controversial or obscure, I think, with a nice mix of clue types and a few smiles along … Read more >>

Guardian 25,317 / Rufus

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This is a classic Rufus puzzle, I think. All the hallmarks are there – succinct, witty cluing, clever anagrams [8ac, for instance] superb surfaces … There are rather more anagrams and fewer cryptic … Read more >>