Observer

Everyman 4,025/10 December

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Nothing to frighten the horses here, I would say. Which is as it should be. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] … Read more >>

Azed 2686

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For grid-spotters, this one is slightly unusual in having 90-degree rotational symmetry, though that doesn’t seem to have any special significance. Just another quality puzzle from the master. Thanks to Azed. Across 1 … Read more >>

Azed No. 2,685 Plain- Competition Puzzle

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I was relieved that this was just a ‘plain’ Azed crossword, because his specials often take ages. In the event it was one of his easier ones I thought. All made sense and I felt as if everything was parsed OK. You may have different opinions. It seemed there were quite a lot of anagrams: I counted ten clues in which there were whole or part anagrams. Some of the definitions are a bit dense, but will be there in Chambers.

Definitions in crimson, underlined. Anagram indicators shown like (this)* or *(this).

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Everyman 4,024

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As always seems to be the case this is well-constructed and there are no criticisms really. The usual things are there — the first letters clue, the rhyming pair, the self-reference. My moan at 6dn about the fact that it’s a CD is a voice crying in the wilderness: lots of people, including some good setters, like them.

Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (anagram, homophone, juxtaposition, hidden, etc) in italics. Anagram indicators shown like *(this) or (this)*, link-words in green.

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Azed 2683

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We have a standard crossword from Azed this week.       For me, this was a puzzle of two halves.  I made good progress on the right hand side but struggled quite … Read more >>

Everyman 4,021/12 November

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All the usual fun of the fair again with Everyman this week: the rhyming couplets, the initial letters clue, and the self-reference.   Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as … Read more >>

Everyman 4,020

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The usual (nowadays) sound and satisfactory crossword from Everyman. Because of the time of year, there is a bit of a fireworks theme and 4dn and 9dn don’t rhyme, as in the past, but are related in their subject matter.

Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (anagram, homophone, hidden, reversal etc.) in italics. Anagram indicators indicated *(like this) or (like this)*. Link-words in green.

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