NealH

I've been doing crosswords off and on since university back in the 1980s. I used to do the Guardian, but defected to the Independent a year ago. My solving standard is still not what I'd like. I'd love to be able to knock off a crossword in 10 minutes, but find I'm still getting stuck for long periods when the inspiration doesn't quite arrive. I once had a go at compiling crosswords but, after a very rude rejection for the editor of the Telegraph, I didn't bother any further.

Independent 9,968 by Italicus

Mon September 24, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

Italicus is a setter I haven’t seen before, but there were some excellent clues here. I had a few queries on one or two of them.

Independent 9,950 by Gila

Mon September 3, 2018 at 10:25 amMon September 3, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

A well constructed and efficient crossword with some unusual uses of some of the standard fodder items.

Independent 9,932 by Tees

Mon August 13, 2018 at 3:28 pmMon August 13, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

An excellent puzzle with some inspired clues.

Independent 9,914 by Gila

Mon July 23, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

This was a little trickier than previous Gila puzzles with some good misdirection.

Independent 9,896 by Tees

Mon July 2, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

Entertaining and deceptive stuff from Tees.

Independent 9,878 by Alchemi

Mon June 11, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

A neat crossword with terse, well-written clues.

Independent 9,860 by Raich

Mon May 21, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

A lively and mostly accessible puzzle.

Independent 9,842 by Tees

Mon April 30, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

A well-constructed puzzle in the inimitable Tees’ style.

Independent 9,824 by Vigo

Mon April 9, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

A typically sparky puzzle from Vigo. None of the clues were too difficult.

Independent 9,806 by Crosophile

Mon March 19, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

An enjoyable puzzle from the reliable Crosophile.

Independent 9,788 by Alchemi

Mon February 26, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

A mostly fairly gentle puzzle with a few clues that were made more difficult by having more obscure answers.

Independent 9,770 by Kairos

Mon February 5, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

A themed puzzle which I found easy to start but extremely tough to finish.

Independent 9,752 by Knut

Mon January 15, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

Some excellent political satirising from Knut.

Independent 9,717 by Tees

Mon December 4, 2017 at 9:06 am by NealH

I found this mostly on the straightfoward side but was lost on a few of the clues. The presence of a number of linked entries made the puzzle a little easier than it might have been.

Independent 9,699 by Vigo

Mon November 13, 2017 at 6:01 pmMon November 13, 2017 at 9:00 am by NealH

A nice mixture of clues, mostly on the easy side but a few that had me scratching my head for parsings.