Sometimes my own egregious stupidity staggers me.
Pierre
Everyman 4,153/24 May
I got back into cryptics twenty years ago by trying the Everyman every Sunday, but didn’t always complete it for quite a time. I do remember the first time I did finish one, and got so excited that I posted it off to try to win the dictionary I already had. Failed on that account, but I’ll always be thankful to the setters of this puzzle, because here I am now blogging it once a month. And still enjoying the solving process.
Guardian Quiptic 1,383/Chandler
Chandler in the Quiptic slot this week with a cryptic with nothing to frighten the horses. Which is as it should be.
Independent 12,352/Kairos
Kairos is a long-standing but now occasional setter for the Independent. A pleasure to see his name crop up on my watch, because I’ve always enjoyed his puzzles.
Guardian Quiptic 1,381/Anto
Apologies for the slightly later than usual blog, down mainly to the fact that it took me a longer than usual time to solve this Quiptic from Anto. Which might be an indication that its difficulty level is not quite appropriate for the slot. Those on the early steps of their cryptic crossword journey will no doubt be best placed to tell us below.
Independent on Sunday 1,889/Filbert
Being a regular blogger for the Independent on Sunday puzzle means I get to tussle with Filbert often. And it is a tussle: as usual, this took me two goes. But it’s always satisfying to complete because this compiler’s work is invariably marked by impeccable setting and fine surfaces.
Everyman 4.149/26 April
Everyman on good form as usual. Just one clue I found a little clunky.
Guardian Quiptic 1,379/Anto
Anto has this week’s Quiptic for us.
Independent 12,334/Brunel
Brunel starts the crosswording week in the Independent.
Guardian Quiptic 1,377/Pasquale
Always a sound Quiptic from Pasquale. He is a setter that I particularly recommend to newer solvers of cryptics.
Independent on Sunday 1,885/Filbert
Another carefully-constructed and challenging cryptic from Filbert to brighten our Sunday morning.
Everyman 4.145/29 March
All the trademark clues present as usual in this week’s offering from Everyman. Some straightforward anagrams to give you a foothold, then a grid that fell out nicely, for this solver at least.
Independent 12,316/Jeemz
After a well-received debut last month, Jeemz is back again with the opening puzzle of the week in the Independent. I enjoyed this one: the clues are carefully crafted and varied with some nice twists here and there.
Guardian Quiptic 1,375/Budmo
A fine Quiptic from Budmo, which I fancy will appeal to newer and improving solvers.
Guardian Quiptic 1,373/Turnstone
Turnstone is a name I haven’t come across before, and it appears this is their first Quiptic, having compiled a Quick Cryptic in the Guardian earlier this month.