Andrew

I started off on Everyman in The Observer, and began solving Azed while I was a student at Cambridge (reading maths) shortly after it started. I do the Guardian puzzle most days and others sporadically. In real life I work as a software developer (still in Cambridge), and for non-crossword recreation play the piano and am involved in amateur theatre.

Guardian 28,656 – Vulcan

by

Lots of helpful anagrams and other straightforward constructions here (and not a single cryptic definition), making a puzzle that would be good for “beginners and those in a hurry”, to borrow the Quiptic’s … Read more >>

Guardian 28,647 – Vlad

by

The impaler is in a fairly gentle mood today: a couple of entries may be unfamiliar, but are helpfully clued. Thanks to Vlad.   Across 1 DEAN OF FACULTY Restructure due — can’t lay … Read more >>

Azed 2585

by

The first Azed after the Christmas special is traditionally supposed a bit gentler than usual, but that wasn’t my experience with this one. All sorted in the end, though. Thanks to Azed, and … Read more >>

Guardian 28,640 – Boatman

by

A tricky puzzle from Boatman today, though maybe not reaching the level of one self-describing answer. There’s an obvious theme of punctuation marks, found in many of the clues and some of the … Read more >>

Guardian 28,634 – Fed

by

Fed has now appeared four times in the Guardian: he’s also seen – rather more frequently – in the Independent as Bluth. I found this quite tricky in places, but with some easy … Read more >>

Guardian 28,627 – Pan

by

A brief but enjoyable solve, suitable for those who like to be eased gently into their crosswording week, Thanks to Pan.   Across 1 LIMBURGER Cheese and fruit mostly served with minced beef … Read more >>

Guardian 28,618 – Anto

by

I’ll never be Anto’s greatest fan, but this was competently done, albeit with a few iffy moments, and I’m irritated by the misspelling at 26a. Thanks to Anto.   Across 1 FADDISH Trendy … Read more >>

Guardian 28,611 – Qaos

by

Not too much trouble for me from Qaos today, though my lack of sporting knowledge makes me uncertain of one parsing. Today’s theme is of things found in a bathroom, with the impressively … Read more >>

Azed 2579

by

A gentle walk in the park (relatively speaking) after the previous week’s tricky Letters Latent. Thanks to Azed.   Across 1 SVARABHAKTI Kasbah TV air waves demonstrating vocalic development (11)(KASBAH TV AIR)* – … Read more >>

Guardian 28,604 – Imogen

by

I found this quite a tough one, though in retrospect everything is soundly clued. A couple of bits of general knowledge might cause some trouble. Thanks to Imogen   Across 9 CHIPOLATA Some … Read more >>

Guardian 28,595 – Paul

by

Things didn’t click today, and I found this quite hard going throughout, but in retrospect most of the parsing is reasonably straightforward, so maybe it’s just me. Thanks to Paul.   Across 1 … Read more >>

Guardian 28,588 – Brendan

by

The welcome sight of Brendan’s name on a puzzle is a promise of and enjoyable, but not too difficult, puzzle, and so it was on this occasion. Thanks to Brendan. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN famously … Read more >>