New owner, same crossword, same setter … a big day for The Observer, but what looks like for now the same Everyman crossword that has been in the paper for the last 80 years, compiled by a number of setters but always intended as a tractable Sunday cryptic. Who knows if things will change, but for now let’s see what this week’s puzzle had to offer.
Pierre
Independent 12,028/Coot
A pleasing and reasonably accessible puzzle from Coot to start the Indy crosswording week.
Guardian Quiptic 1,327/Pasquale
One of the editor’s best decisions since he took over the role a few years ago now was to give Pasquale a regular Quiptic slot. He always hits the mark, I find.
Guardian Quiptic 1,325/Chandler
A solid and pleasing Quiptic from Chandler this morning with my apologies for a slightly truncated blog. Some IT issues this morning.
Independent on Sunday 1,833/Filbert
It’s Sunday in Crosswordland. Everyman in The Observer, Filbert in The Independent on Sunday. Life is good.
Independent 12,010/Bluejacket
I think this might be a debut (in the Indy at least) for Bluejacket, in which case, welcome to him or her.
Everyman 4,093/30 March
Everyman with a puzzle to challenge us all after the clocks have gone forward. In the UK, at least.
Guardian Quiptic 1,323/Carpathian
Carpathian in the Quiptic slot this week. Which means a thoughtfully constructed, beginner-friendly puzzle with no obscurities or over-complicated constructions. Brava. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Independent 11,992/Bard
A reasonably gentle start to the week from Bard, which I enjoyed. There’s one slightly clunky clue (for this solver at least) and it’s a pangram. Otherwise not much more to add before … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,321/Pasquale
Pasquale in the driving seat for the Quiptic this week, which means a sound, carefully-constructed puzzle which should encourage newer solvers and briefly entertain older hands. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,829/Filbert
Filbert in his now customary Independent on Sunday slot brings us his usual combination of carefully constructed surfaces and sometimes intricate wordplay. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition … Read more >>
Everyman 4,089/2 March
Another accessible and sound puzzle from Everyman this week. All the trademark clues are there if you know to go looking for them, and in fact the rhyming pair did prod me in … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,319/Anto
The editor continues to give Anto the gig for producing Quiptics, and while he has his fan club, commenters here have often indicated that he might not be the best choice for the … Read more >>
Independent 11,974/Umpire
I found this one from Umpire a little on the clunky side, with a couple of stretchy definitions, but I am only one of the many solvers of this crossword this morning. Others … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,317/Carpathian
A solver-friendly grid with clear, solver-friendly clueing and no obscurities. Carpathian is in town. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) … Read more >>