Independent 9,352 by Eimi

by

It seems that Eimi wants to make a point to all us pedants who endlessly carp on about less than 50% checking: more than 57% of the answers are of this type, which is clearly of no concern to him.

Two other things struck me about this offering from Eimi: the apparently large number of full anagrams (seven I think), and what Brian Greer once referred to in his excellent crossword articles in the Times of the late 90s as something whose exact name I can’t remember, but it was typically apposite and referred to anagrams which hit you in the face and can be nothing but anagrams (‘Paint Lucy’, ‘Canopus’, ‘Dench loafs’). Which is not to say that I found it easy: as you’d expect Eimi has included various references to a world that is less well-known to me than to him, and occasionally some rather good clues (I’d have liked the RSC one if it had been printed properly).

Read more >>

Independent 9351/Vigo

by

I enjoyed this one from Vigo.  She’s put together a tidy puzzle in the old Monday style.  Some very good surface readings.  A bit heavy on charades and insertions, but for a crossword … Read more >>

Azed 2312/Out of order

by

I found this Azed carte-blanche variant (a “jigsaw”) in which clues are given in alphabetical order of answers rather difficult — mainly, because I pecked at it sporadically throughout the week without a concerted burst … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1389 Poins

by

Thanks to Poins for an enjoyable Sunday puzzle.  Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Stop in cobbled side street (6) DESIST : Anagram of(cobbled) SIDE + ST(abbrev. for “street”). 4 Indifferent … Read more >>

Everyman 3651

by

Charades and insertions mostly this morning from Everyman.  Which for an entry-level puzzle is fair enough.  But only one full anagram, cluing a word I could only vaguely remember.       Abbreviations … Read more >>