Observer

Everyman 3,938/3 April

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Another pleasing and tractable puzzle from our Sunday setter. There were some nice touches in this one, I thought, as well as the trademark rhyming pair and ‘initial’ clue. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition … Read more >>

Everyman 3,937

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Some good clues here: Everyman has been clever in discovering several apposite anagrams that make for lovely extended definitions. I’m still a bit unsure about one or two of the explanations though, but am sure people will do my job for me. We have the long alliterative clues at 1ac and 26ac, also 5dn, the first letters extended definition, and the self-reference at 9ac.

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

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Azed 2597

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As the Azed series moves into its second half-century, yet another high-quality puzzle. Thanks to Azed   Across 1 BRACKISH Mistake imbibing selection of wine, barely drinkable (8)RACK (where wine may be stored) … Read more >>

Everyman 3,935

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Our fellow blogger Sil has been a bit unwell recently hence his missing a couple of blogs, so during his convalescence I’m going to be standing in for him.

Get well soon Sil and we’ll share a glass or two of vino sometime.

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Everyman 3,934/6 March

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A pleasing puzzle from Everyman this morning, with a number of stand-out clues and a good variety of devices. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>

Azed 2594

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Azed’s 50 years as a setter was marked with an article in last week’s Observer.  The article can also be found online by clicking HERE It’s a very impressive achievement to compile 2,594 … Read more >>

Everyman 3,933

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I find it hard to believe that Everyman is just one person, unless there are days when they’re badly off form. This crossword was so much better than the one I blogged last month: no clues are seriously unsound and the surfaces, although not in every case really up to a lot, are generally pretty good. And Everyman makes things quite demanding for him/herself: there are the long onomatopoeic (yes, alliterative, as several pointed out; wrong word) answers (potato peelers, penalty points, private property), the first letters homophone clue (1dn), the self-reference (20ac), and maybe others that I’ve missed, and they all fit in without strain.

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

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