mhl

Although I had some early attempts to solve cryptic crosswords as a teenager, it was only in my late 20s (and mostly thanks to fifteensquared!) that I became reasonably competent as a solver. However, despite being a slow solver I found that I had a knack for parsing clues, and volunteered to do a weekly blog post on the Guardian crossword. After a few years, I had to drop down to being on the Guardian Prize rota, but eventually found that with two young children to look after, I didn't have time even for that. I'm still hoping to resume blogging more regularly when they're a little older!

Guardian 25,343 / Araucaria

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There are lots of nice clues in this puzzle, but this was a typically problematic Araucaria for me, in that there were lots of references I didn’t know …..  (LAUD, HYDE, MECHLIN, NOCTULE, … Read more >>

Guardian 25,319 / Gordius

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A nice puzzle from Gordius – with a few exceptions (noted below), I don’t think this should have created too many problems. Across 1. ORDNANCE SURVEY ORDNANCE = “Artillery” + SURVEY = “inspection”; … Read more >>

Guardian 25,314 / Shed

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A very nice crossword from Shed, with some tough words / general knowledge, but all fairly clued. (I may not be able to make corrections until much later today, so apologies in advance … Read more >>

Guardian 25,309 / Paul

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As always, an excellent, entertaining crossword from Paul. The clue of the day is certainly the brilliant and topical “Fancy lad and me tied knot!” Across 1. WICHITA I + CHIT = “note” … Read more >>

Guardian 25,295 / Arachne

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An enjoyable and fairly easy puzzle from Arachne today. Across 9. HOT POTATO HOT = “popular” + POTATO = “King Edward?”; Definition: “Sensitive matter” 10. ANIME A followed by EMIN = “modern artist” … Read more >>

Guardian 25,290 / Brendan

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Another wonderful puzzle from Brendan, with precise and elegant cluing. (I found the bottom half much easier than the top here, but perhaps that was just me…) Across 1. POUNDS Double definition: “Strikes” … Read more >>

Guardian 25,285 / Puck

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A characteristically inventive and intricate puzzle from Puck, with lots of very nice clues. This puzzle has one of those themes which is more like a chain of associations running through the clues … Read more >>

Guardian 25,275 / Rufus

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Some typical Monday fun from Rufus, with lovely surface readings throughout. Across 5. BAD EGG A nice double definition: “Scoundrel” and “best avoided by soldiers” (referring to the bits of toast that you … Read more >>

Guardian 25,271 / Brendan

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I think Brendan’s puzzle are consistently elegant and very satisfying to solve, and this one was no exception. Across 9. COURGETTE URGE = “Strongly advise” in COT = “bed” followed by [plan]T [on]E; … Read more >>

Guardian 25,266 / Araucaria

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An excellent crossword from Araucaria, although one that I found very hard. A complete explanation of 1d and ideas about 22d would be very welcome 🙂 My favourite clue is the lovely 21d. The … Read more >>