twencelas

Age 61 - Been doing cryptic crosswords since the early 1980's, started with the Sunday Times and then enjoyed them on a daily basis when the independent was launched. Over several years managed to get the hang of all the original Indie setters. Started attempting the Indie magazine crossword in the early nineties - took me a while to complete one, though - the use of all the squares luring the solver into thinking that its easier than it really is. Continued through the nineties and into this century with the Indie and the odd foray into the murkier world of the Listener - with little success, other than the numerical ones. Spent the last year or so concentrating on the thematics - can now complete most Listeners (tend to limit myself to a starting day and a having slept on it day, if needed), the high 90%'s of the Inquisitor (still my favourite) and Enigmatic Variations. Still have a daily fix of the Indie or Guardian and am pleased to see more and more themes used in the daily puzzles. One day hope to author some puzzles myself, though must admit to being in awe of the precise clueing of the top compilers.

Enigmatic Variations No. 1465: Change by Piccadilly

Thu December 24, 2020 at 7:38 pmThu December 24, 2020 at 9:03 am by twencelas

Christmas approaches and we have a puzzle entitled Change from Piccadilly. All entries need to be changed before entry as described by the extra letters from the wordplay in the across clues 2020 … Read more >>

Independent 10,655 by Tyrus

Sat December 5, 2020 at 7:23 pmSat December 5, 2020 at 8:59 am by twencelas

The first Saturday in December, and the virtual advent calendar comprising Independent crosswords brings a puzzle from Tyrus. Sure to pick me up and many others I would think. And it was a … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1461: Key Change by Brock

Thu November 26, 2020 at 9:48 amThu November 26, 2020 at 8:00 am by twencelas

A key change in 3 cells based on misprints in 7 across clues reveals 2 new items from a list; Change a key word entry to reveal another; A reclassification of one item … Read more >>

Independent 10,625 by Wire

Sat October 31, 2020 at 9:43 amSat October 31, 2020 at 9:01 am by twencelas

As October reaches its conclusion, a puzzle from Wire. A mini horror theme in the clues and some entries – marking Halloween, I suspect. Oh that the day itself was so understated. Was … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1457: A Clear Law by Vismut

Fri October 30, 2020 at 5:21 pmThu October 29, 2020 at 4:27 pm by twencelas

Autumnal October and Vismut presents a puzzle with only 9 non standard clues. Then a theme to be found based on the missing letters. An associated entry to this to be written below … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1453: Four-letter words by Piccadilly

Thu October 1, 2020 at 8:30 am by twencelas

The 3rd of September’s easier clued EV’s is from Piccadilly. All clues are normal, but grid entry requires letter removal and insertion in the perimeter to spell out four-letter words which combine to … Read more >>

Independent 10,595 by Dutch

Sat September 26, 2020 at 7:34 pmSat September 26, 2020 at 8:59 am by twencelas

I always seem to get on well with the Dutch – with the exception of their driving habits. What sort of crossword will be served up? Fries and mayonnaise, or should it be … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1450: Matches by Kcit

Fri September 11, 2020 at 7:02 pm by twencelas

Matches occur in 6 rows with all clues containing 2 definitions – the ones with clashes only giving the wordplay to the common letters and not the ones that need to be added … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1449: Lack of Education by Jaques

Thu September 3, 2020 at 9:44 pm by twencelas

The initial grid is suffering from a lack of Education. Sounds familiar when I watch politicians on the news trying to understand simple maths and science. Several answers were too short for the … Read more >>

Independent 10,565 by Morph

Sat August 22, 2020 at 9:12 am by twencelas

A puzzle from Morph – a guarantee of some fun. A quirky puzzle as I expected. 6ac had me in stitches from the off. Suspect it will lose a bit in the telling … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1445: Evolution by Vismut

Fri August 7, 2020 at 5:15 pm by twencelas

An interesting preamble. Nine entries to thematically treat and 9 clues also. The treatments lead to a description of what has been done and an occupation. This should allow a person to be … Read more >>

Independent 10,535 by Wiglaf

Sat July 18, 2020 at 7:41 pmSat July 18, 2020 at 8:20 am by twencelas

Summer is here – well a British summer anyway and a puzzle from Wiglaf to accompany the Pimms, whilst watching the Croquet Some very english seaside resort clues from Wiglaf. Very humourous in … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1441: Extracts by Kcit

Sat July 11, 2020 at 1:10 am by twencelas

Quite a cryptic preamble this week – clues are normal and then a number of extracts to be found – works by the unclued entry. This entry is then to be changed to … Read more >>

Independent 10,505 by Nimrod

Sat June 13, 2020 at 11:43 amSat June 13, 2020 at 9:21 am by twencelas

Grey skies and precipitation – must be June. A tussle with Nimrod beckons. If the setter’s name wasn’t enough to switch on the locked down grey cells, there are lots of clues referring … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1437 Double Entry by Jaques

Sat June 13, 2020 at 12:05 am by twencelas

Straight clues and 9 clashes to find and resolve into one of two options based on three answers to clue the correct option. Definitely one for lovers of crossword clues rather than those … Read more >>