PeterO

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° 25,607 by Orlando

Wed April 11, 2012 at 2:09 am by PeterO

A very satisfying puzzle – not too difficult, with a plethora of ingenious and witty devices. Across 1. Last queen but one between posts (6) KEEPER A charade of KEEP (‘last’) + ER … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,603 by Philistine

Fri April 6, 2012 at 5:00 pmFri April 6, 2012 at 2:58 am by PeterO

Uncle Yap seems to have been hogging Philistine’s blogs recently, and I am happy to take this one from him. The crossword is marked by some quite unusual wordplays (wordsplay?).

Guardian Quiptic N° 645, by Nutmeg

Mon March 26, 2012 at 2:52 am by PeterO

Nutmeg fulfills the Quiptic brief very well.

Everyman N°3,415 (18th March)

Sun March 25, 2012 at 12:01 am by PeterO

Here we have Everyman’s usual mix of not-too-convoluted wordplays under impeccable surfaces. There are no geographical references to worry about, but a couple of words which might stretch your vocabulary. Across 1. Something … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,589 by Pasquale

Wed March 21, 2012 at 10:11 amWed March 21, 2012 at 3:43 am by PeterO

This was not as difficult as I thought at first glance that it would be.

Guardian Cryptic crossword N° 25,578 by Chifonie

Thu March 8, 2012 at 12:35 pmThu March 8, 2012 at 3:30 am by PeterO

Guardian Quiptic N° 641, by Pan

Mon February 27, 2012 at 2:10 am by PeterO

When I started solving this, it seemed for a while to be shaping up as a little tough for a Quiptic, but on writing it up, I’m not sure how it gave that impression.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,565 by Enigmatist

Wed February 22, 2012 at 11:52 amWed February 22, 2012 at 4:41 am by PeterO

Without the dedication, this would have been a tough nut to crack.

Everyman N° 3409 (5th February)

Wed February 15, 2012 at 2:07 amSun February 12, 2012 at 12:01 am by PeterO

A typical Everyman – nothing too elaborate, well-constructed and varied clues, with the odd bit of general knowledge thrown in, which should be gettable even if you are not the general who knows it.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,555, by Boatman

Fri February 10, 2012 at 5:31 pmFri February 10, 2012 at 4:08 am by PeterO

I had considered indicating the definition part of each clue, but had not done so, because (a) I’m basically lazy, and (b) I detail the wordplay, and whatever is left over is generally the definition. If there is anything unusual about the definition, I will add a note to that effect (particularly for a Quiptic or Everyman, which are generally geared to the less experienced solver). However , the discussion of the last few days seems to indicate a desire for a more explicit indication, so I am happy to oblige: definitions are underlined (which, as we shall see, is not always a trivial matter).

Guardian Quiptic N° 637, by Hectence

Mon January 30, 2012 at 3:31 amMon January 30, 2012 at 2:18 am by PeterO

I think this was nearer to the level of a Guardian Cryptic than most Quiptics; perhaps aimed at a neophyte in the process of sharpening his or her solving skills.

Guardian Cryptic Nº 25,541, by Shed

Wed January 25, 2012 at 4:14 am by PeterO

One on the easier end of the Guardian spectrum, apart from a couple of perhaps less familiar references.

Guardian Cryptic N° 25,530 by Qaos

Thu January 12, 2012 at 4:28 am by PeterO

Fortunately not too difficult, as I had a meeting to attend before solving and blogging this.

Financial Times N° 13, 897 by Armonie

Tue January 10, 2012 at 3:03 am by PeterO

Wandering from my usual Guardian beat, I find a puzzle by John Dawson, whom I know better as his alter ego Chifonie; the results are much the same, with straightforward clue construction, smooth surfaces and some ingenious misdirection. John Dawson gives his main interests as crosswords, music, and walking in the Lake District. Could one ask for anything more?

Quiptic N° 633 by Beale

Mon January 2, 2012 at 12:15 pmMon January 2, 2012 at 5:18 am by PeterO

It took me a little while to get into Beale’s style of clue, but once I got used to it, things went quickly.