Independent 10,018 by Filbert

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So much for the fairly gentle Wednesdays we had when Dac was setting. This was as hard — for me, at any rate — as anything you ever see in the Independent. My initial feeling was irritation with what seemed to be rather loose and vague clues, but it grew on me: the meaning of most of them is clear and at times Filbert has been remarkably clever and imaginative. The fact that some of them still seem to be a bit weak is probably down to me rather than to him. Or her, although the name suggests a man.

For various reasons Filbert was derided a bit to begin with but then he became much liked. This crossword looked initially like a reversion to his old habits, but I suspect I’ve missed some of his subtleties.

Definitions underlined, in maroon.  Anagram indicators in italics.

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Guardian 27,672 / Arachne

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There’s no one better than Arachne to brighten up a grey November day. Another super puzzle from the Spider Lady, brimming with clever clues and witty wordplay / definitions / surfaces – replacement locks, … Read more >>

Financial Times 16020 Hamilton

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This was quite difficult in parts. Thanks to Hamilton. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1,18across Obeying Thatcherism requires a new approach to foreign aid policy (7,6,2,4) CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME : … Read more >>

Independent 10,016/Tees

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I really enjoyed this one from Tees. All carefully thought out and constructed, and a fine example of gracefully letting the solver win.       Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition … Read more >>

AZED 2,422

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This is my 600th post for fifteensquared and it is a pleasure that I get an AZED puzzle to annotate.  Thank you AZED.

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