kenmac

In early 2022 I took over administration for this site. Born 1954. I've been fascinated by cryptic crosswords since childhood. My mother used to attempt the Daily Mail cryptic every day but I don't remember her ever finishing one. Then, when I started working, a colleague would bring in The Telegraph every day. It wasn't till my daughter started to get interested, when I bought her a "how to" book that I realized that the definition is "always" the first word (or words) or the last word (or words) of the clue. In 2000 I discovered the, then, Independent Weekend Crossword (now Inquisitor) and later Enigmatic Variations and The Listener. I solve The Inquisitor most weeks and won the Champagne once. In 2005 I achieved an ambition by having a barred crossword published in The Independent using the pseudonym Cayenne. Then I had another one in 2015 in collaboration with Anax. This was Inquisitor 1839.

Inquisitor 1855: Virtue Rewarded? by Arcadia

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Virtue Rewarded? by Arcadia

Five thematic entries (I to the eponymous V, who must be identified at the foot of the grid) are unclued. Across clues are in alphabetical order of their answers, all bar one requiring thematic transformation before entry. Information in brackets refers first to final grid entries; then to clue answers. Down clues and answers are normal. Clashes occur in four symmetrically placed cells, in which solvers should enter both clashing letters. Arranging them appropriately could loosely enable II to __ __ (4,4) I, while III __ __ (4,4), as tasked by V, despite the attentions of IV. All thematically adjusted entries are unique and in Chambers, though heaven knows why.

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Inquisitor 1851: National Treasures by Pointer

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National Treasures by Pointer

When all answers have been entered, the contents of three cells must be changed so that the corresponding down entries become words appearing in the third verse of a poem, each word described by the same adjective. The across entries remain real words, with the poet, who must be highlighted, linking the altered cells. In the final grid, a continuous line must be drawn joining the silvered cells, showing what could be referred to by a three-word phrase later in the verse.

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General Discussion

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  This page is for the discussion of general crossword related matters and other topics of interest. Comments posted before 16/11/2023 can be found here. This post is now closed. New comments can … Read more >>

Site Feedback

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This page is where you can provide feedback relating to Fifteensquared or raise issues regarding the website itself. Comments posted before 16/11/2023 can be found here. New comments can be posted here. If … Read more >>

General Discussion

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  This page is for the discussion of general crossword related matters and other topics of interest. Comments posted before 19/06/2023 can be found here. This post is now closed. New comments can … Read more >>