Everyman 4,053/23 June
One or two niggles from me in this week’s puzzle, but overall a pleasing solve. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] … Read more >>
Pierre
Guardian Quiptic 1,283/Carpathian
A fine Quiptic from Carpathian this morning. She’s good at this, as well as at being Vigo in the Independent when she wants to be more challenging. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double … Read more >>
Independent 11,758/Wire
A solid and pleasing puzzle from Wire. Just right for a serious, no bells and whistles daily cryptic. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,281/Chandler
A fine Quiptic from Chandler, I reckon. Let’s see what the beginners and improvers thought about this Sunday’s offering. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,789/Stamp
The Independent on Sunday puzzle has historically been one that is reasonably accessible, but I found this one to be chewy in many areas, particularly when it came to the parsing. Mebbes just … Read more >>
Everyman 4,049/26 May
The consensus seems to be that the difficulty level of the Everyman puzzle has moved upwards in recent times. They are still well-constructed and pleasing puzzles, though, in my opinion. I enjoyed solving … Read more >>
Independent 11,740/Twin
A delightful Bank Holiday puzzle from Twin, with concise and precise clueing accompanied by some delightful surfaces. Bravo. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,279/Hectence
Always a pleasure to see Hectence’s name on a Quiptic, and in fact always a pleasure to open up a Quiptic to blog these days, now that the new editor has commissioned chosen … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,277/Pasquale
Since Alan Connor took over as editor of the Guardian stable crosswords – the daily cryptic, the Quiptic and the Everyman – I’ve noticed a real consistency to the Quiptic puzzles. That’s mainly … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,785/Filbert
A tricky little number from Filbert this morning, I thought. Your experience may have differed, of course. I’ll leave you to mull over this one while I go and blog the Quiptic. Abbreviations … Read more >>
Independent 11,722/Tees
A pleasing Tees puzzle for our Monday enjoyment, with a wide range of subject matter as always. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram … Read more >>
Everyman 4,045/28 April
Another accessible puzzle from the Everyman stable, with all setter’s usual trademarks: the rhyming pair, the self-reference, and the initial letter clue. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,275/Pasquale
Pasquale in charge of this week’s Quiptic. Which means a carefully constructed puzzle to stretch less experienced solvers which will also act as an amuse-bouche for those who have been solving these things … Read more >>
Independent 11,704/Filbert
Filbert is very much a regular feature in the Indy these days, and a setter who is capable of ratcheting the difficulty level up and down. This one, as befits a Monday, was … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,273/Carpathian
Quiptics on a Sunday now. I am a creature of habit, and this has completely discombobulated me. Good job it’s a sound as a pound Carpathian for me to blog. Abbreviations cd cryptic … Read more >>