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 >>
Pierre
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 >>
Independent on Sunday 1,781/Hoskins
Hoskins in his customary Independent on Sunday slot. The usual sound puzzle from him, with a self-description at 12dn and a perimeter nina that reads WHITE BOARDS ARE REMARKABLE. Are the two related? … Read more >>
Everyman 4,041/31 March
I think we should acknowledge that it is a big ask to produce an entry-level puzzle every seven days. On the whole, I think our setter manages that well: this week there are … Read more >>