Never knowingly undersolved
This is the annual Christmas Competition Puzzle where solvers were given two weeks for submission, hence the delay in publishing the blog. The preamble stated: Ten thematic clues are without … Read more >>
The Observer crossword from Dec 22, 2019. ‘A festive treat’ from Everyman (see 4d and 9d, and more). Whether it was a real treat, that’s a matter of taste. We (my solving partner … Read more >>
Everyman continues to produce generally pleasing puzzles within the remit of being accessible and without obscurities. In my opinion, his/her crosswords are let down sometimes by looseness of cluing and clunkiness of surface. … Read more >>
This is my last post of the year and my 700th post overall for Fifteensquared. I found it hard! I spent a lot more time stuck than usual, several times I was left … Read more >>
A fairly straightforward Everyman this week. As we’ve come to expect, there are lots of anagrams and anagram indicators, a few slightly contrived definitions, and punctuation that’s put there to hinder rather than … Read more >>
After a very quick start which saw me complete about a third of the puzzle almost immediately, I struggled to complete this Azed.
The last competition puzzle before the Chrtistmas special, and a fairly gentle one (after the initial hurdle of it not being available on the website till Monday). Thanks to Azed. … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3816. Everyman is mostly on a back-to-basics kick this week, although there is the &lit clue at 9A NERVOUS TIC, where the entire clue doubles as definition … Read more >>
The Observer crossword from Nov 24, 2019 As is almost normal in the UK nowadays, Everyman seems to divide opinion but I thought this was a generally sound offering in the now familiar … Read more >>
Always a pleasure, thank you Azed. ACROSS 1 ORCHESTRALIST Musician, vocal practitioner taking in right dresser (13) ORALIST (vocal practitioner) contains R (right) CHEST (dresser) 11 HERACLEAN Goddess, entirely heroic (9) HERA … Read more >>
My blogging colleague Quirister described last week’s puzzle as ‘occasionally a bit untidy but generally fun’. I can’t find a better description of this week’s Everyman, so it’s déjà vu all over again. … Read more >>
An anagrams special from Azed this week.
Everyman as we’ve come to expect: occasionally a bit untidy but generally fun. As we’ve often seen recently, there are some rather loose definitions and slightly vague indicators in wordplay. However, there are … Read more >>
Azed provides us with our weekly crossword challenge and opportunity to increase our vocabulary. It was a plain Azed this week with a good mix of well known and obscure … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3812. Everyman seemingly on a new tack; I thought it distinctly harder than previous offerings, and I see no trace of the linked answers which have been … Read more >>