Independent 10,087/Vigo
A mixture of straightforward charades, insertions and anagrams in a puzzle that would be ideal to show a beginner how to get going with this cryptic malarkey. Abbreviations cd … Read more >>
Pierre
Guardian Quiptic 1002/Matilda
A lively and entertaining solve from Matilda this morning, with some inventive clueing to stretch those that fall into the ‘beginner’ rather than the ‘those in a hurry’ category. I have tried to … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1509/Eccles
Jennifer on the oche this Sunday morning with a tractable little number to go with my coffee. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Independent 10,069/Anglio
A pleasing and appropriately gentle Monday puzzle from Anglio, who made his Indy debut almost exactly three years ago. All good stuff, apart from one clue which I can’t parse to my satisfaction. … Read more >>
Everyman 3,770/13 January
The current Everyman setter is publishing his last puzzle today (20th January), so this one is my last chance to blog him. It’s been a lot of fun. Abbreviations cd … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,000/Carpathian
A milestone puzzle today: Quiptic no. 1000. I have given a bit of history about the Quiptic at the end of the blog if you are interested. Carpathian has got … Read more >>
Independent 10,051/eimi
The player-manager pulls on the shirt to take the field for the final game of the year. Will it be a puzzle of two halves? Will the solver be over the moon on … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 998/Anto
Anto has the Quiptic for us this morning. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1505/Hoskins
Hoskins brings us the last IoS crossword of the year. I have been a fan of this setter and his style since he came on the scene a few years ago, but I … Read more >>
Everyman 3766/16 December
Only two more sleeps till Santa comes. Good job I have a pleasing and soothing puzzle from Everyman to help me contain my exuberance. A delightful crossword, with beautifully clear … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 996/Hectence
As we approach Quiptic no. 1000, it’s one of its long-standing setters, Hectence, who is on the oche this morning. As always, she has produced a pleasing puzzle for this slot. … Read more >>
Independent 10,034/Tees
Always a smile on my face when I get a Monday Tees to blog. He knows stuff, and he knows his stuff, which always makes for an entertaining puzzle with a wide range … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 994/Pan
A delightful Quiptic from Pan this morning which will have given many less experienced solvers the ‘yes, finished it!’ experience. If there is anything that I haven’t explained well enough, just ask. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1501/Peter
It’s Peter and Pierre time again for the IoS crossword. We have always been close, but now we are besties because she has given me a bird. As well as a good puzzle … Read more >>
Everyman 3762/18 November
Another accessible, well-constructed puzzle from Everyman. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed definitions are underlined Across … Read more >>