Independent 11,848/Twin
I enjoyed solving and blogging this offering from Twin. Easier to solve than parse in a number of places, I would say. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition … Read more >>
Pierre
Guardian Quiptic 1,297/Picaroon
Picaroon on fine form with this week’s Quiptic. A pleasing and tractable puzzle with some delightful surface readings. Bravo. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,805/Filbert
The hard-working Filbert brings us this Sunday’s Independent offering. Filbert is very much the Indy regular these days. I always enjoy his/her puzzles: they can be devious and occasionally left-field, but they are … Read more >>
Everyman 4,065/15 September
Another carefully compiled puzzle from Everyman this week. All the usual elements are there: the primary letters clue, the rhyming couplet, the self-reference. Some original clueing as well in a couple of places, … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,295/Hectence
Hectence is one of our long-standing Quiptic setters and brings us this Sunday’s offering. First off, it’s a pangram: all 26 letters feature, and this is itself a feature of all Hectence’s Quiptic … Read more >>
Independent 11,830/Italicus
Italicus makes the Monday morning commute to deliver us the Indy crossword. A good example for me of a solid, serious cryptic for a national daily. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,293/Anto
Anto often divides opinion when he is seen in the Quiptic slot. Personally, I found the imprecision in a number of clues a frustration here, since that’s not what you want when you … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,801
The Independent on Sunday puzzle has historically had a reputation for being reasonably gentle, and it often still is. But not this week, for this solver at least. Filbert is currently the most … Read more >>
Everyman 4,061/18 August
Another pleasing and sound cryptic 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 1 When … Read more >>
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 >>
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 >>