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 24,712 / Araucaria

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Mostly very doable, but with a few tough ones and a couple I don’t quite understand. The excellent charade in 21a, 1d, 2d is particularly noteworthy 🙂 Across 1. SECATEURS SEC = “Little … Read more >>

Guardian 24702 / Rufus

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As often happens with Rufus’s puzzles for me, I got about half of these clues very fast and the rest took rather more puzzling. I thought there was lots to enjoy here, with … Read more >>

Guardian 24698 / Rover

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We found this rather tough, but with lots of good “A-ha!” moments (e.g. 12a, 14a, 27a, 6d, 21d). There are 10 clues that refer to the theme of drinks and drinking, including the … Read more >>

Guardian 24694 / Orlando

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An enjoyable crossword, and quite easy for a Friday. Update: thanks to Beermagnet for pointing this out: apparently some versions of the paper have this Araucaria puzzle printed instead. Across 1. OVERPOWER OVER … Read more >>

Guardian 24686 / Auster

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I really enjoyed this one; quite easy on the whole and only a few quibbles. Across 9. REDUNDANT (UNDER)* + D = “German” + ANT = “worker” 10. LEACH Homonym of “leech”; I … Read more >>

Guardian 24672 / Rufus

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As usual, an excellent puzzle from Rufus – there are some particularly satisfying cryptic definitions here. Across 7. FIVE-STAR VESTA in FIR 9. OPENER Double definition 10. PROP PRO = “for” + P[arty] … Read more >>

Guardian 24670 / Taupi

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A very enjoyable puzzle, with lots of good clues. Across 1. MIDDLE-DISTANCE (TEN MILES CAD DID)* 8. THIEF THE over I + F = “foot”; the definition is “one lifting” 9. BUMBLING “BUM … Read more >>

Guardian 24663 / Quantum

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Quite an easy crossword today, but with a few disappointing clues, I thought (e.g. 13, 14, 6, 7) … There are a few things I didn’t understand, but I’m sure people will be … Read more >>

Guardian 24656 / Brendan

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A fun puzzle from Brendan with a theme of name changes. I’m afraid I’m not likely to be able to update this post with any corrections until much later today. Across 8. SIDE … Read more >>

Guardian 24648 / Rufus

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Apologies for the late posting – I forgot that I was supposed to be blogging today… Across 1. IN HOCK Double definition 5. EXTENDED Double definition 9. LIVE IT UP I’VE in LIT … Read more >>

Guardian 24646 / Auster

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Quite a few nice clues in this fairly easy puzzle from Auster. (I’m a bit disappointed there’s are no Australian words or phrases this time, though. :)) Across 1. MILDEWED MILD + EWE … Read more >>

Guardian 24639 / Brummie

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Good stuff from Brummie today. (I can’t take much credit for this post, since Jenny solved most of the puzzle while I was working this morning.) Thanks to smutchin for pointing out the … Read more >>

Guardian 24632 / Gordius

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A very rushed post today, since I’m about to get on an aeroplane, and I’m afraid that as a result I won’t be able to update it with corrections until much later. There … Read more >>