NealH

I've been doing crosswords off and on since university back in the 1980s. I used to do the Guardian, but defected to the Independent a year ago. My solving standard is still not what I'd like. I'd love to be able to knock off a crossword in 10 minutes, but find I'm still getting stuck for long periods when the inspiration doesn't quite arrive. I once had a go at compiling crosswords but, after a very rude rejection for the editor of the Telegraph, I didn't bother any further.

MyCrossword No 4 by Iguess

Mon February 9, 2026 at 10:00 am by NealH

This was my first go at a puzzle on MyCrossword and I found it to be fairly tricky.

Independent 12,268 by Quince

Mon February 2, 2026 at 9:00 am by NealH

I found this quite a struggle. The compiler is new to me, which usually makes things a little trickier because you're not used to the way they express things.

Independent 12,250 by Italicus

Mon January 12, 2026 at 9:00 am by NealH

This was a mostly gentle puzzle with a few that required some work to parse them.

Independent 12,232 by Bard

Mon December 22, 2025 at 10:30 am by NealH

I've not done many Bard puzzles before, so it took me a while to get into the mindset. The grid was unusual with 4 longer double word clues around the perimeter.

Independent 12,214 by Italicus

Mon December 1, 2025 at 9:00 am by NealH

I found this a little easier than some Italicus puzzles I've done.

Independent 12,196 by Grecian

Mon November 10, 2025 at 9:00 am by NealH

I found this quite a slog. It had some very tough clues and occasionally quite obscure references.

York S & B 24th Oct 2025 by Platypus

Sun October 26, 2025 at 10:30 amSun October 26, 2025 at 9:00 am by NealH

Platypus here is an alias for a large group of setters who all contributed to the puzzle. You can solve the puzzle at https://mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2788.