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 9123 by Daedalus

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A very nice puzzle from a compiler who is fairly new to the Indy. It was quite accessible but had some neat bits of misdirection and some well-hidden definitions, 11 down being my … Read more >>

Independent 9088 by Lohengrin

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* = anagram [] = removed A(mpere) = abbreviation I found this to be quite difficult, even though none of the clues individually seem particularly difficult. There were some quite off-centre word associations … Read more >>

Independent 9070 by Vigo

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* = anagram [] = removed A(mpere) = abbreviation This was a very nice thematic puzzle based on cops and criminals. There was fun to be had not just in solving the clues … Read more >>

Independent 9034 by Morph

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() = abbreviation e.g. a(mpere) hom = homophone [] = letters removed I found the parsing of a few of these a bit of a struggle, but on reflection they are mostly reasonable … Read more >>

Independent 9016 by Hoskins

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* = anagram [] = removed A(mpere) = abbreviation Hoskins is a completely new setter and that always makes things a little tricky, as you don’t quite know what to expect. I found … Read more >>

Independent 8962 by Vigo

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() = abbreviation e.g. a(mpere) hom = homophone [] = letters removed Vigo seems to be a new compiler and this was a good candidate for a gentle Monday puzzle. There was nothing … Read more >>

Independent 8944 by Kairos

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* = anagram [] = removed A(mpere) = abbreviation A puzzle themed on freedom and democracy, as epitomised by the Magna Carta, which appears on the left and right side of the grid. … Read more >>

Independent 8926 by Alchemi

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A very entertaining and enjoyable puzzle which was accessible but certainly no gimme. There were some excellent clues (10 and 11 were both quite inventive). 27 was really the only clue that required … Read more >>

Independent 8908 by eXternal

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*=anagram [] = removed e.g. char[m]=char ()=abbreviation e.g. A(mpere)=a Hom. = homophone A well constructed and on the whole precisely clued puzzle, 4 being the only one you might slightly question because of … Read more >>