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 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 >>

Enigmatic Variations 1433 Act I by Hedge-sparrow

Fri May 15, 2020 at 11:38 pm by twencelas

Two unclued entries to deduce. Extra words to remove and two messages to find from the second and second last letters in extra words with no clashes in the entries. Something else to … Read more >>

Independent 10,475 by Phi

Sat May 9, 2020 at 2:03 pmSat May 9, 2020 at 9:30 am by twencelas

Phi on a Saturday – unusual indeed. But we live in the most unusual of times and here’s hoping that the British ineptitude that occurred in the early weeks of World War II, … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1429 The Purge by The Ace of Hearts

Fri April 17, 2020 at 9:23 pm by twencelas

As the world becomes more and more virtual, The Purge is here to entertain us. Most clues have an extra letter, spelling out a definition, and four require something to be removed before … Read more >>

Independent 10,445 by Tees

Sat April 4, 2020 at 8:20 am by twencelas

April and it’s usual for people’s attention to turn to spring. Not this year. A puzzle from Tees to distract from the disaster unfolding throughout the planet. A very pleasant diversion from Tees. … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1425 Darkest Hour by Stick Insect

Sat March 21, 2020 at 10:56 am by twencelas

Darkest hour !!! How very prophetic. But in crossword terms some extra words to remove, to reveal 3 names, a perimeter quotation to insert and a single normal entry to be amended to … Read more >>

Independent 10,415 by Eimi

Sat February 29, 2020 at 9:59 amSat February 29, 2020 at 9:19 am by twencelas

The last day of February brings a puzzle from Eimi. A special occasion indeed. Whilst not a difficult solve, exactly what I like about Eimi’s puzzles. Topical, requiring a bit of general knowledge … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1421 Keep Trying by Kruger

Mon February 24, 2020 at 4:17 pmSat February 22, 2020 at 12:01 pm by twencelas

Keep Trying – interesting title. Several clues with misprints which will explain how to modify some of the answers. I’m sure it will all make sense in the end. And now to state … Read more >>

Independent 10,385 by Serpent

Sat January 25, 2020 at 9:00 am by twencelas

My run of a trio of Hobs comes to an end with a tussle with the Serpent. Knowing Serpent’s reputation there will be a theme, won’t there? And was there? Indeed there was … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1417 Time for Action by X-Type

Fri January 24, 2020 at 8:09 pm by twencelas

4 unclued entries to determine and a thematic alteration to be applied to a clue in each across row leaving a real word. The downs are all normal Quite a gentle workout, though … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1413 Not on the Level by Kcit

Sat December 28, 2019 at 8:42 pmFri December 27, 2019 at 9:28 pm by twencelas

Alphabetically ordered across clues, normal downs apart from one and then an unknown twist, which affects one of the downs and some of the acrosses. The down that needed amendment is 4dn – … Read more >>

Independent 10,356 by Hob

Sat December 21, 2019 at 8:50 am by twencelas

Three blogs in a row for me with Hob as the setter. Takes my mind off the fallout from the election. A very pleasant (reasonably gentle I would say) pre-Christmas puzzle. Elegant surfaces, … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1409 Only Connect by Ifor

Sat November 30, 2019 at 3:51 pmSat November 30, 2019 at 12:11 am by twencelas

Apologies for the tardiness of this review. Had a little bit of electrical work to do. Which if you have been following the election campaign is about as factual as most of the … Read more >>

Independent 10,326 by Hob

Sat November 16, 2019 at 8:30 am by twencelas

As the nights draw in and dawn comes after getting-up time, I have for my second blog in a row a puzzle by Hob Particularly liked 19ac, but the bands may not be … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1405 Association by Piccadilly

Sat November 2, 2019 at 12:06 am by twencelas

Autumn and an association to find – 11 unclued entries which need to associated with a word from a normal clue. The other clues have an extra letter in the wordplay – across … Read more >>