kenmac

In early 2022 I took over administration for this site. Born 1954. I've been fascinated by cryptic crosswords since childhood. My mother used to attempt the Daily Mail cryptic every day but I don't remember her ever finishing one. Then, when I started working, a colleague would bring in The Telegraph every day. It wasn't till my daughter started to get interested, when I bought her a "how to" book that I realized that the definition is "always" the first word (or words) or the last word (or words) of the clue. In 2000 I discovered the, then, Independent Weekend Crossword (now Inquisitor) and later Enigmatic Variations and The Listener. I solve The Inquisitor most weeks and won the Champagne once. In 2005 I achieved an ambition by having a barred crossword published in The Independent using the pseudonym Cayenne. Then I had another one in 2015 in collaboration with Anax. This was Inquisitor 1839.

Inquisitor 1589: Pitch Black Desert Area by Wiglaf

Wed April 17, 2019 at 11:36 amWed April 17, 2019 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Pitch Black Desert Area by Wiglaf Each of four theme words, which have something in common, has two variations connected to it in the same way, though the nature of the connection … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1587: A Growing Population by Phi

Wed April 3, 2019 at 12:01 am by kenmac

A Growing Population by Phi A number of clues contain a one letter misprint in the definition part; in order the correct letters spell out a quotation from the central unclued down … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1583: Partial Survival by Schadenfreude

Wed March 6, 2019 at 11:09 amWed March 6, 2019 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Partial Survival by Schadenfreude Single letters overlooked by wordplay given by 19 clues in clue order provide the theme. Wordplay given by the remaining clues includes an extra letter; in clue order … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1579: Lemon Aid by Triton

Wed February 6, 2019 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Preamble: Renowned setter Andy Lemon has been kidnapped, but his captors have unwisely allowed him to submit this puzzle disclosing his whereabouts. All but 12 clues are normal. In each of 6 clues … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1575: The Gas Man Cometh by Ifor

Wed January 9, 2019 at 7:30 amWed January 9, 2019 at 12:01 am by kenmac

The Gas Man Cometh by Ifor The Gas Man: “Just checked – I’ll be there at 1, but must leave at some point. I know your number.” The Author: “I’ve got you … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1571: Unassuming Champion by Ploy

Wed December 12, 2018 at 11:49 pmWed December 12, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Unassuming Champion by Ploy In 24 clues, one letter must be changed before solving. The new letters give the names of two people. They form a group with a further nine items, … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1567: The Magic of Opera by Phi

Wed November 14, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

The Magic of Opera by Phi The opera is at 18. Clues to entries unaffected by the magic each contain a redundant word, to be removed before solving. The magic of Act 1 … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1563: Just in Time by Poat

Wed October 17, 2018 at 1:03 pmWed October 17, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Just in Time by Poat Down answers are jumbled before entry. On completing the grid, solvers must deduce how to treat across answers so that an apposite TV quote (three words) appears, leaving … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1559: Mull It Over by Opsimath

Wed September 19, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Mull It Over by Opsimath Each across clue contains a misprint in the definition. In clue order the corrections spell out the last four words of a verse from a poem and the … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1555: Landmark by Pointer

Wed August 22, 2018 at 2:29 pmWed August 22, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Landmark by Pointer The final grid answers incorporate several items (including two place names) that appear on a map of a certain part of Britain, their relative locations having been retained approximately. A … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1551: You Will Have by Kruger

Wed July 25, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

You Will Have by Kruger Half of the clues each have a letter added to one word in their definition which is then usually (but not always) jumbled – not all of the … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1547: Northern Lights by Phi

Wed June 27, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Northern Lights by Phi Orthernay Ightslay ybay Iphay The unclued entries (none of which is a word) can be converted to a list of names with something in common by the application of … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1543: Barcode by Xanthippe

Wed May 30, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Barcode by Xanthippe Clues are given in normal order and solvers must complete the grid, which has no symmetry and contains 4 barred off empty cells. Two entries are clued by wordplay only … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1539: Noble Aims by Nimrod

Wed May 2, 2018 at 9:12 amWed May 2, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Noble Aims by Nimrod Wordplay in all except six clues leads to an extra letter not entered in the grid; these letters in order reveal a cryptic clue to one version of a … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1535: Back and Forward by Kruger

Wed April 4, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Back and Forward by Kruger Most clues have had either their definition or wordplay moved back or forward by one or two clues (1ac assumed to follow 32dn). The original clues must be … Read more >>