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 28,220 by Vulcan

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28220. Well, it’s Monday, and Vulcan fills that spot frequently and reasonably well. Much of one’s response to the puzzle depends on one’s opinion about cryptic definitions; … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,218 by Paul

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28218. Definitely a quirky puzzle from Paul – I suspect that it will elicit a marmite response. A good part of the quirkiness, but by no means … Read more >>

Everyman 3,852

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3852. This week we have paired clues aplenty: 1A OFF-THE-WALL and 26A ON THE SHELF; the rhyming pair 4D WEBCAMS and 5D LOG JAMS; the assonant artists … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,211 by Qaos

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28211. Firstly, my apologies for missing my slot here last week; I was raring to go, but even if Hurricane Isaias had been downgraded to a Tropical … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,197 by Qaos

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28197. A not too difficult offering from Qaos, with, as usual, a theme: musical instruments. There are a few borderline cases – SIREN (yes, there are various … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,190 by Anto

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28190. For my money, the best Anto yet, by far. Bravo. ACROSS 7 BOOM BOOM Report on economic success indicates it’s a joke! (4,4) Now here’s an … Read more >>

Everyman 3,848

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3848. As usual for Everyman, there is the ‘primarily’ clue at 27A, and the rhyming pair at 4D and 9D. This offering is notable for the several … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,167 by Qaos

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28167. It’s Qaos, so there must surely be a theme; I could not spot it without a hint from his website – and it turns out that … Read more >>

Everyman 3,844

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3844. Mostly simple basic clue types this week, with 16A FRIAR TUCK being conspicuous as the only real exception. Have we come to expect the ‘primarily’ clue … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,160 by Vulcan

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28160. Vulcan’s usual plethora of CDs and DDs, one of each that I thought particularly successful (the long ones, 2D LABOUR CANDIDATE and 7D LOCH NESS MONSTER). … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,158 by Philistine

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28158. I got to this a little late, and then made uneven progress – perhaps because I am tired – ending up with an inordinate time spotting … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,151 by Maskarade

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28151. Maskarade takes a turn at a daily Guardian puzzle, rather than his often formidable specials, and largely hits the right level, thought 8A I would say … Read more >>