A 13 by 11 plain puzzle this week.
Observer
Everyman 3,946/29 May
Another well-constructed and accessible puzzle from Everyman, which I enjoyed solving and blogging. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed … Read more >>
Azed 2606
This weeks puzzle from Azed is a plain puzzle. Of course, a plain Azed puzzle involves more unusual words as entries and parts of the wordplay, than you find in national daily crosswords. … Read more >>
Everyman 3,945
A pleasant crossword from Everyman. There were several anagrams — no bad thing in a crossword that’s intended to be on the easy side, but some of the fodder was a bit tortuous and didn’t really lend itself to elegant surfaces. I often didn’t get them until I had plenty of crossers.
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (for anagrams, homophones, first letters, reversals etc) in italics. Anagrams indicated *(like this) or (like this)*. Link-words in green.
Azed No. 2,605 Plain
Not so many obscure words this time. Thank you Azed.
Everyman 3,944
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3944.
Azed No. 2,604 Plain
A typical Azed plain
Everyman 3,943
Well this seemed a relatively gentle Everyman.
Azed 2603 – Wrong Number
Wrong Number is one of the classic specials, dating back at least to Ximemes. You can see the Slip for an early (1968) example here. The last Azed example was as long ago … Read more >>
Everyman 3,942/1 May
Another pleasing Sunday puzzle from Everyman. Since it’s primarily aimed at newer and improving solvers, I have tried to give full explanations of the parsing, but if there is anything that is not … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,602 Plain
A plain puzzle again this week. Thank you Azed.
Everyman 3,941
For much of this crossword I was thinking how pleasant it was, but towards the end some of the clues seemed to become rather tortuous. Who knows if I’ve actually got it right — I may be barking up the wrong tree — but there were some clues that I’m a bit doubtful about. Which will encourage the poster a few months ago to mention my crabbiness. Sorry — I’m hard to please!
Definitions underlined in crimson. Indicators (homophone, hiddem, anagram etc.) in italics. Link-words in green. Anagrams indicated *(like this) or (like this)*.
Azed No. 2,601 Plain
A straightforward plain puzzle this week, although there is one clue that troubled me.
Everyman 3,940
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3940.
Azed 2600
Sundays wouldn’t be the same without an Azed puzzle in the Observer This puzzle is a round number, 2600, which may explain the AZ occurrences in the clues and entries. … Read more >>