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 26,969 / Rufus

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Here’s Rufus, with an entetaining medley of double and cryptic definitions and some neat anagrams, with lovely surfaces, as ever, to launch us into the week. Thanks, Rufus – I enjoyed it. Across 9 … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 26,962 / Vlad

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After blogging a difficult Paul puzzle on Thursday and battling with a fiendish one from Enigmatist on Friday, I was wondering what on earth was in store for us on Saturday. It turned … Read more >>

Guardian 26,960 / Paul

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A rather tough challenge from Paul today, especially in the parsings, one of which I’m still not sure of. Thanks to Paul for the workout. Across 8 Italian broadcast in stereo (8) TORINESE … Read more >>

Guardian 26,953 / Brendan

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It’s always a real pleasure to see Brendan’s name on a puzzle – and thank goodness he’s back more regularly again now. The solving was quite straightforward but it soon became obvious that … Read more >>

Guardian 26,939 / Rufus

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The usual Monday medley of anagrams and double and cryptic [some not very] definitions from Rufus. Thanks to him for a 17dn start to the week. Across 1 Declared a number was incorrect … Read more >>

Guardian 26,937 / Paul

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Paul makes his expected weekly appearance with a reasonably straightforward puzzle, with a wide variety in the style of the answers. Thanks, Paul. Across 1 White powder pocketed by outlaw from a Christian … Read more >>

Guardian 26,930 / Qaos

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A lighthearted puzzle from Qaos, with great cluing and witty surfaces throughout. Qaos puzzles usually have a theme and this one was easier to spot than they sometimes are – Guardian crossword setters, … Read more >>

Guardian 26,923 / Imogen

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I found this reasonably straightforward, with just one unfamiliar word – all fairly clued, as usual from this setter, with some very nice surfaces. Thanks to Imogen. Across 1 Made neat, because tangled … Read more >>

Guardian 26,916 / Pasquale

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A second surprise this week: after Rufus standing aside for Tramp yesterday, I was thinking we might see him today. Instead, it’s Pasquale, in rather milder mood than usual – not a single … Read more >>

Guardian 26,907 / Orlando

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It’s four months since Orlando last appeared in the Cryptic slot, so this was a welcome sight on a rather duller morning than we’ve become used to this week. Orlando’s fans will not … Read more >>