Everyman 3,862/18 October
My sense when solving and blogging this one was that it was rather clunky, with some overlong surfaces. Your experience may have differed, of course. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd … Read more >>
Pierre
Guardian Quiptic 1,092/Hectence
The usual sound and pleasing Quiptic from Hectence this morning, but with a rather unusual feature. Which is that there are no full anagrams in the puzzle. Some beginners (and … Read more >>
Independent 10,608/Raich
Excellent. A Raich falls on my blogging day, which hasn’t happened for a bit. Raich is one of the reasons that you’re reading this blog now. When I first got back into cryptics, … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,090/Matilda
A thoughtfully compiled Quiptic from Matilda, which I’d be happy to recommend to those who are new to this kind of torture. Friendly grid, no obscurities, clear cluing. Happy days. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,597/Tees
Another thoughtfully constructed and pleasing puzzle from Tees, with some delightfully succinct surface readings and more cryptic definitions than usual. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as … Read more >>
Everyman 3,858/20 September
Another pleasing Sunday puzzle from Everyman, with the usual features: the ‘primarily’ clue, the paired long rhyming couplet, and the Grauniad misprint to confuse newer solvers. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,088/Carpathian
A carefully constructed Quiptic from Carpathian this morning, which I think will provide an entertaining challenge for newer solvers. A fine example of the art of a setter losing gracefully. … Read more >>
Independent 10,590/Klingsor
A rare appearance from Klingsor on a Monday, but a welcome one for me, because I don’t often get the chance to blog one of his puzzles. If you still believe in the … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,086/Matilda
As always, I enjoyed solving and blogging this offering from Matilda. One or two devices that newer solvers might have been unfamiliar with, but learning new stuff is part of the enjoyment, no? … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,593/Tees
Another Tees ‘n’ Pierre show for your Sunday delectation and delight (well, the Tees bit, anyway …) Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Independent 10,572/Bluth
It’s Bank Holiday Monday, it’s not beach weather, and if you’re not quarantined and do venture out you’ll have to understand/obey/lose patience with the Covid rules and regulations. An indoor diversion, therefore, in … Read more >>
Everyman 3,854/23 August
Another sound puzzle from Everyman, with – as should be the case – nothing to frighten the horses. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,084/Pan
As always, a delightful Quiptic from Pan. Plenty of devices for the beginner to get his or her teeth into, and some smooth surface readings to boot. And if you are a beginner, … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,082/Hectence
Hectence is a long-serving Quiptic setter and always produces a puzzle that I want to recommend to beginners. I’m sure some of our newer solvers and contributors will have enjoyed (and, I daresay, … Read more >>
Independent 10,554/Tees
Did you know that (TEES AND PIERRE)* is EARNED RESPITE? For those of you who are wishing you had earned respite from the combo, I am sorry to disappoint. It’s nothing untoward – … Read more >>