Observer

Azed No. 2,637 Plain – Competition Puzzle

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Apart from the problem (so far as I can see) with 29dn, this is a good example of the elegant clueing that we have come to associate with Azed. I sometimes grumble about his surfaces (what does 20ac for example actually mean?), but he does produce these things week after week, not to say a whole lot of clue-judging and regular specials, and he generally does try hard to get decent surfaces; there are as always some lovely clues (like 30ac and 27dn).

Definitions underlined in crimson. Anagram indicators in italics.

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Everyman 3,976

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Have you noticed that Everyman crosswords are always of 28 letters? So far as I can see, anyway. Why should the setter slave away for those extra few clues? Not that it matters. The standard is good, as it has been becoming for a while; good surfaces (apart from 15ac, 7dn and 19dn I think) and sound clueing, with the usual constraints of the first letters clue, the self-referential clue, and the alliterative clues. Actually I can’t see any of the last here — it looks as if Everyman has deviated from the norm and has included two long answers of two words, with the same first word.

Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (anagram, homophone, reversal, etc. in italics). Link-words in green.

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Azed 2636

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It’s the Azed Christmas special this week.       There was quite a lengthy preamble explaining what solvers were asked to do and stating that some entries would not be found in … Read more >>

Everyman 3,973

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Everyman gets better and better. There are very few clues here that are odd, although perhaps the surfaces to 1ac, 19ac and 21dn are a bit thin. I’m afraid I need a bit of help with 13dn. We have the usual self-referential clue (just), the first letters clue, and the rhyming couplet (also something else that I can’t remember. No doubt it will be pointed out). Quite a restriction for Everyman to impose on himself.

You may have missed this, where Everyman is outed.

Definitions underlined in crimson. Indicators (homophone, hidden, anagram etc.) in italics. Link-words in green.

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Azed 2633

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A higher-than-usual proportion of unfamiliar words in this one, I think, which tends to increase the difficulty. A satisfying challenge as always – thanks to Azed.   Across 1 U-SHAPED Scottish expert bagging … Read more >>

Azed No. 2,632 Plain

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A nice plain from Azed with the usual sound clues. In one or two places I’m a bit doubtful but that’s very possibly me. In his latest slip he mentions that some people find the 11×13 grid (as here) often a bit easier to solve that the usual 12×12.

I used to blog Azed’s crosswords some years ago and seem to remember making the same remark then: the actual wordplay is usually fairly simple; the difficulty lies in the extraordinary words, which I have usually not explained.

Definitions underlined in crimson. Anagram indicators in italics.

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Everyman 3,970/13 November

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Another solid puzzle from Everyman, with the usual trademarks: the paired clues, the self-reference and the initial letter cad. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>

Azed 2630

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The first Azed puzzle of the month is usually a competition puzzle.  Sometimes it is also presented in a non-standard  format.  Today we have what many consider to be the most difficult variation … Read more >>