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 1519: Space Invaders by Shark

Wed December 13, 2017 at 11:17 pmWed December 13, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Space Invaders by Shark The unclued 1ac hints at why only one of the barred-off corners should be filled in. Clashes in the grid must be resolved to form a relevant three-word phrase; … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1515: A Major Restraint by Kruger

Wed November 15, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

A Major Restraint by Kruger Preamble: Answers to ten clues must have one checked letter changed to reveal ten elements of a set. Ten other clues have a single letter misprint in their … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1510: Work by Schadenfreude

Wed October 11, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Work by Schadenfreude Single letters to be removed from 38 clues before solving (always leaving real words) spell a quotation with one word missing and its originator. Solvers must reveal the missing word … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1507 – Shift Work II: Confessions by Ifor

Wed September 20, 2017 at 10:33 amWed September 20, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Shift Work II: Confessions by Ifor A song title suggests how one letter in each across answer must be treated before entry. All down clues must be modified before solving according to part … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1503: Obeying a Rule by Eclogue

Wed August 23, 2017 at 5:34 pmWed August 23, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Obeying a Rule by Eclogue Preamble: Every clue is OBEYING A RULE whereby each definition, in whole or in part, is disguised by a one word anagram containing an extra letter. In clue … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1499: From A to B by Triton

Wed July 26, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

From A to B by Triton Seven pairs of clues are run together (but do not overlap); in each instance the definitions are of two four-letter words whilst the wordplays lead to two … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1495: Two’s Company by Lato

Wed June 28, 2017 at 11:29 amWed June 28, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Two’s Company by Lato Corrected single letter misprints in the eleven thematic clues spell out a two-word phrase describing what needs to be added to the entries to complete the answers (though these … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1491: Don’t Trust the Picture by Phi

Wed May 31, 2017 at 8:55 amWed May 31, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Don’t Trust the Picture by Phi Preamble: A number of answers are entered jumbled, and even then won’t fill the associated entries, leaving unchecked spaces blank. The complete versions of these entries are … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1487: Delivery by Eclogue

Wed May 3, 2017 at 3:29 pmWed May 3, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Delivery by Eclogue The delivery of the definition in each clue has lost a letter which solvers should reinstate prior to solving. In clue order, these letters spell out samples of work created … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1483: Ecological by Kruger

Wed April 5, 2017 at 8:28 pmWed April 5, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Ecological by Kruger Preamble: Just over 25 per cent of clues contain a redundant word that must be removed before solving. In clue order, the second or fifth letters of these words followed … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1479: Symbol by Shark

Wed March 8, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Preamble: The six unclued entries are members of a group; their unchecked/mutually checked letters could spell I ISSUED PAILS. The group cryptically suggests how to change each of seven identical letters to another … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1475: 13-1 by eXtent

Wed February 8, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Preamble: One entry per column contains a clash in one cell, which must be entered in a way consistent with the theme. Wordplay for the other column entry (with the exception of the … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1471: Crosswords for Beginners by Plench

Wed January 11, 2017 at 11:34 amWed January 11, 2017 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Preamble: Steps to be followed: 1 Make amendments to asterisked clues in either of two ways before solving. 2 Read yellow cells in row order to find a theme word. 3 Complete the … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1467: Multiplication by Radler

Wed December 14, 2016 at 9:05 amWed December 14, 2016 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Preamble: Answers to the eleven asterisked clues must be changed to a related word of the same length before entry. All other clues have a single-letter misprint: the correct letters (in clue order) … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1463: Health Warning by Nutmeg

Thu November 17, 2016 at 10:24 amWed November 16, 2016 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Preamble: Solvers must complete the grid, including a health warning which applies to both grid and clues. Each clue is contaminated by a thematic letter, appearing as a misprint in the definition part. … Read more >>