Eileen

I’ve been doing cryptic crosswords since university days, learning how with a group of friends in coffee breaks. The Guardian crossword has been part of my life for most of the time since. Since retiring from teaching (originally Classics and, subsequently, when that was dropped from the curriculum, mostly English and History), having serendipitously stumbled on 15², I discovered that I could get the Indy and FT puzzles online and so I now add those, when they are set by my favourite compilers. Occasionally, I try the Genius and have even submitted a few. (Some years ago, I won a Collins dictionary in the Guardian Prize lottery, which established it as my referred reference.) I don’t take note of solving times: I enjoy taking time savouring the construction and particularly the surface of clues and always feel slightly disappointed when I finish too quickly. My one regret is my complete failure to enthuse any member of my family with cryptic crosswords.

Guardian 29,513 / Maskarade

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Maskarade fills the Monday slot, with a puzzle that might suit both beginners and more experienced solvers. A generally straightforward puzzle, I think, with some nice surfaces and a couple of innovative anagram … Read more >>

Guardian 29,511 / Qaos

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It’s a while since I blogged a Qaos puzzle and so I was pleased to find him rounding off the week. There’s always the added challenge of finding the theme in a Qaos … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 29,500 / Paul

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I was not really surprised to see Paul’s name on this puzzle, as he hadn’t appeared during the week and it was two weeks since his last Prize offering. A quick first glance … Read more >>

Guardian 29,497 / Ludwig

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Apparently, we have a new setter – but you never know – which is always an interesting challenge. The astronomical theme was not entirely within my comfort zone and needed a bit of … Read more >>

Guardian 29,483 / Vulcan

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Vulcan steps predictably into his fortnightly slot with a traditional Monday medley. There’s the usual mix of charades, anagrams and double definitions, along with several cryptic definitions, some more so than others. I … Read more >>

Guardian 29,481 / Pasquale

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Pasquale rounds off the weekday cryptics with a characteristically well-clued and interesting puzzle. This time there were no words I hadn’t heard of but one or two unusual usages, perhaps and just one … Read more >>

Guardian 29,474 / Picaroon

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I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler to say that Picaroon has served up a decidedly fishy offering for us today. Our setter seems to have eased back somewhat on the … Read more >>

Guardian 29,453 / Pasquale

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Pasquale kicks off the week in fine style. It’s over a year since I blogged a Pasquale puzzle and I really enjoyed this one. We have an interesting and wide-ranging set of clues … Read more >>

Guardian 29,451 / Philistine

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Philistine rounds off the week with a typically ingenious and witty puzzle. I had ticks for, among others – too many to list, 1,5 CURRENT ACCOUNT, a neat charade to start us off, … Read more >>