PeterO

Born 1944. I was introduced to cryptics, mainly the Telegraph, in the sixth form, as a group effort. This continued through college (physics), and after, but more sporadically after I moved to the US forty years ago. Now I am semi-retired from programming - I drive school buses - I have time to troll the internet for crosswords to my heart's content. I regularly do the Guardian, Independent FT and Private Eye. Despite rather regular entries to Private Eye and the Guardian Genius, the nearest I have come to winning anything was on a book publishers' website, a crossword compiled by Eddie James, I think. As the prizes included a bottle of Champagne, to avoid customs problems, I entered in my brother-in-law's name. He was somewhat surprised to win.

Guardian Cryptic 28,294 by Tramp

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28294. This unfolded for me as a good crossword should: at first glance impenetrable – it was nor just that I could not come up with answers, … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,287 by Philistine

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THe puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28287. Altogether a delightful crossword. I would say it is fair, but with enough quirky features to keep me on my toes. Thanks to Philistine. ACROSS 8 … Read more >>

Everyman 3,864

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3864. Much as we have come to expect from Everyman, including the rhyming pair at 3D and 11D, and the ‘primarily’ clue at 6A. There are a … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,278 by Shed

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28278. Quite a hard crossword for a time when changes of daylight savings time robs me of an hour’s worth of solving, with a couple of definitely … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,271 by Tramp

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28271. This gives me the impression of an exercise in envelopes, very well varied, with a few double definitions thrown in (of course, it is actually more … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,264 by Picaroon

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28264. Maybe I’m feeling dozy today, but I had more trouble with this puzzle, particularly in the top half, than it would seem to justify in retrospect. … Read more >>

Everyman 3,860

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3860. Another Everyman with the trademark ‘primarily’ clue (reverting to form after last week’s variant), a weakish rhyming pair, and a bunch of &lits, all a little … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,257 by Brummie

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28257. A fairly quick solve, pleasant, but not too exciting, with some strange surfaces. A theme of headgear is plastered all over the place. Indeed, a google … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,250 by Pan

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28250. A fine puzzle, I would say a notch more difficult than many Monday offerings, but none the worse for that. ACROSS 1 EPITOME Brief extract from … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,248 by Nutmeg

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28248. Mostly on the simpler side – for a Nutmeg – but with a couple of definitely tricky parses. In all beautifully crafted. ACROSS 1 WARTHOG Wild … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,241 by Crucible

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28241. As a crossword with very few easy answer, I found this challenging, particularly for the cross-references, but very well crafted, and worth the effort. There are … Read more >>

Everyman 3,856

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3856. Another good Everyman crossword, with the usual ‘primarily’ clue, and the pair of 8D INVISIBLE INK and the far-from-invisible 9D SHOCKING PINK. ACROSS 1 GEORGE ELIOT … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,227 by Paul

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28227. Paul doe it yet again: a creative and entertaining concoction, even if he sails a little too close to the wind for my comfort in one … Read more >>