New owners at The Observer, but happily for Everyman fans, the same old crossword. All the trademark clues in a pleasing and tractable cryptic.
Pierre
Guardian Quiptic 1,331/Carpathian
Carpathian is a favourite among newer solvers because her Quiptics are generally approachable and clearly clued.
Independent 12,046/Gila
We begin the crosswording week in the Independent with a puzzle from Gila that fits perfectly into a weekday paper serious cryptic slot, I think.
Guardian Quiptic 1,329/Harpo
Harpo established themselves as a setter of Guardian cryptics around three year ago, but this is only the second Quiptic that they have compiled.
Independent on Sunday 1,837/Bluejacket
Only Bluejacket’s second appearance in the Independent after a debut last month. I blogged that first puzzle and said very positive things about it, and I’m about to do the same for this one.
Everyman 4,097/27 April
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.
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 >>