PeterO's avatarPeterO

Born 1944. I was introduced to cryptics, mainly the Telegraph, in the sixth form, as a group effort. This continued through college (physics), and after, but more sporadically after I moved to the US forty years ago. Now I am semi-retired from programming - I drive school buses - I have time to troll the internet for crosswords to my heart's content. I regularly do the Guardian, Independent FT and Private Eye. Despite rather regular entries to Private Eye and the Guardian Genius, the nearest I have come to winning anything was on a book publishers' website, a crossword compiled by Eddie James, I think. As the prizes included a bottle of Champagne, to avoid customs problems, I entered in my brother-in-law's name. He was somewhat surprised to win.

Guardian Cryptic N° 26,312 by Pasquale

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The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26312. I found this a pleasing mid-level puzzle notable for its cryptic definitions, which are backed up by wordpaly.   Across 7,16down. Dramatist can’t reintegrate plays (7,8) TERENCE … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic No. 26,303 by Tramp

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The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26303. I found this a bear, with several parsings which I have either misread or are to my mind stretched to breaking point.. I am generally impressed by … Read more >>

Everyman No. 3,533 (22 June)

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The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3533. I got the impression in the last several weeks that Everyman was ratcheting up the difficulty level a notch; butI though this one by comparison a pleasant … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic N° 26,289 by Nutmeg

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The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26289. Nutmeg in her Cryptic hat has produced some tricky puzzles, but this one seemed to me more on a level with her Quiptics (with the exception of … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic No. 26,282 by Brummie

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The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26282. Perhaps I am on Brummie’s wavelength, because virtually every answer came readily on reading the clue. His tour of the outer reaches of the orchestra is novel. … Read more >>

Everyman N° 3,529 (26 May)

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The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3529. Everyman’s usual mix of smooth surfaces and elegant if not too complicated constructions, with film references and geographical references thrown in.   Across 1. Depressed facing autumn … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic N° 26,266 by Crucible

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The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26266. As usual, answer definitions are underlined in the clues; single quotes denote relevant portions of the clue, capital letters indicate answers or portions thereof, and bold capitals … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic N° 26,259 by Picaroon

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The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26259. I thought this a splendid puzzle, with misdirection in all directions, and definitions that required much thought to see their appropriateness.   Across 1. “Sun” follows this … Read more >>