Independent 11,812/Coot
Well, that was fun. Hard fun, but fun. I did enjoy the puzzle, mainly for its great surfaces, but it took two goes to finish it off. Some distant, but perfectly fair synonyms … Read more >>
Pierre
Guardian Quiptic 1,291/Chandler
A carefully constructed Quiptic from Chandler for our Sunday morning entertainment. Hits the spot, I think. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,289/Anto
Anto’s first crosswords for the Guardian were in the Quiptic slot, and it’s fair to say that they were not universally well received, either for their quality or for their suitability for the … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,797/Hoskins
Hoskins has the Sunday Independent puzzle for us, with the usual helping of ribaldry. Drugs and alcohol, as ever, but the addition this week of a collection of slang words for the membrum … Read more >>
Independent 11,794/Filbert
Filbert on two consecutive days in the daily Independent. Not illegal, but certainly uncommon. A fine puzzle, which I enjoyed teasing out and finally completing. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition … Read more >>
Everyman 4,057/21 July
Nothing really to frighten the horses with here, which is as it should be. One or two where it took me a while to see where Everyman was coming from, but I think … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,287/Hectence
A Quiptic from Hectence that took me a while to get into, but which fell out nicely in the end. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram … Read more >>
Independent 11,776/Tees
Tees starts the Independent puzzling week for us. A sound and pleasing cryptic where the only thing I could find to bitch about was a rather obscure piece of General Knowledge (for which … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,285/Picaroon
One of the most positive things that Alan Connor has done since he took over as Guardian crossword editor is to recruit additional, established setters to join the team of those who compile … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,793/Hoskins
Hoskins with a puzzle this weekend for those who like him in full-on drugs and schoolboy humour mode. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = … Read more >>
Everyman 4,053/23 June
One or two niggles from me in this week’s puzzle, but overall a pleasing solve. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,283/Carpathian
A fine Quiptic from Carpathian this morning. She’s good at this, as well as at being Vigo in the Independent when she wants to be more challenging. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double … Read more >>
Independent 11,758/Wire
A solid and pleasing puzzle from Wire. Just right for a serious, no bells and whistles daily cryptic. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,281/Chandler
A fine Quiptic from Chandler, I reckon. Let’s see what the beginners and improvers thought about this Sunday’s offering. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,789/Stamp
The Independent on Sunday puzzle has historically been one that is reasonably accessible, but I found this one to be chewy in many areas, particularly when it came to the parsing. Mebbes just … Read more >>