twencelas

Age 58 - 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.

Independent Crossword 8620 by Anax (31-05-2014)

Sat June 7, 2014 at 12:05 am by twencelas

A Saturday tussle with Anax – should be fun. As Anax puzzles go it was fairly standard fare – which is fun by the way. Some obvious answers occasionally but some lovely obscure … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1122 Pet Shop Boys et al by Dysart

Sat May 31, 2014 at 10:01 amFri May 30, 2014 at 11:47 pm by twencelas

8 jumbles, 28 misprinted clues – members of a group to find. An outline to be drawn through 12 connecting and symmetrically placed cells and 6 cells to highlight representing the title? Sounds … Read more >>

Independent Crossword 8590 by Nimrod (26-04-2014)

Sat May 3, 2014 at 10:35 amSat May 3, 2014 at 12:05 am by twencelas

A second consecutive duel with Nimrod – oh dear I’m going to need my grey cells. Not as fearsome as some of his offerings, in my opinion to complete the entries. Explaining the … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1118 t20 by Oyler

Fri May 2, 2014 at 8:16 amFri May 2, 2014 at 12:05 am by twencelas

Not only a new compiler this week but also a new type of puzzle. Those who regularly complete the Listener will be familiar with the format and the neat logic required to compile … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1114 Around the World by Wiglaf

Sat April 5, 2014 at 12:19 amFri April 4, 2014 at 10:06 pm by twencelas

Only 20 non-standard clues this week – 6 without definitions and 14 with an additional letter in the wordplay which give a specific way of travelling around the world. However, the grid, also, has … Read more >>

Independent Crossword 8560 by Nimrod (22-03-2014)

Sat March 29, 2014 at 12:02 am by twencelas

My first blog of spring brings a battle with Nimrod. And quite a battle it proved to be with many novel devices in play in this puzzle especially in the construction of the … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1110 Joined Forces by Ifor

Fri March 7, 2014 at 10:05 pm by twencelas

Three answers with indistinct definitions- two of which need to be replaced with associated two word phrases to resolve the grid clashes. Several clues with misprints too – so which forces are being … Read more >>

Independent Crossword 8530 by Anax (15-02-2014)

Sat February 22, 2014 at 9:55 amSat February 22, 2014 at 12:05 am by twencelas

The Saturday after Valentine’s day and a duel with Anax. Now this was certainly one for a hungry person on a long train journey, where the buffet was closed. Every clue has some reference … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1106 Take Heed by Samuel

Fri February 7, 2014 at 8:55 amFri February 7, 2014 at 12:05 am by twencelas

Welcome back to the telegraph puzzles site – a complex preamble this week. 30 misprinted definitions, 4 unclued entries, seven clashes in the grid and 3 cells to be highlighted. Sounds like fun. … Read more >>

Independent Crossword 8500 by Nestor (11-01-2014)

Sun January 19, 2014 at 8:13 pmSat January 18, 2014 at 12:02 am by twencelas

My first blog of a new year crossword is a duel with Nestor A grid with lots of letters with little black space – just how I like them. And some lovely fun … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1102 Just Brussels Sprouts by Chalicea

Sun January 12, 2014 at 1:03 pmSat January 11, 2014 at 12:05 am by twencelas

Sounds like there may be a seasonal theme here – Brussels Sprouts – tasty. Across clues are normal, whilst the downs have misprinted definitions – sounds fun. Then there is some modification required … Read more >>

Independent Crossword 8471 by Tyrus (Saturday prize puzzle 07-12-2013)

Sat December 14, 2013 at 9:54 amSat December 14, 2013 at 12:02 am by twencelas

A second consecutive Tyrus blog for me Certainly up to his usual high standard. The 14/16 double being the most elegant clue of a fine bunch. Three homonyms in the puzzle 9ac, 12ac … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No 1098 Find and replace by Poat

Fri December 13, 2013 at 12:05 am by twencelas

A new setter for me to blog, but not a new setter. Poat’s puzzles tends to lie at the harder end of the spectrum – all seems so simple 16 clues with words … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1094 Riddle in Eight Parts by Jaguar

Sat November 16, 2013 at 11:29 amSat November 16, 2013 at 10:05 am by twencelas

An EV from Jaguar, a second for me to blog – 3 different groups of seven to wade through. 7 unclued of a theme, 7 clues with misprints which can spell out theme … Read more >>

Independent Crossword 8441 by Tyrus (Saturday prize puzzle 02-11-2013)

Mon November 11, 2013 at 4:47 pmSat November 9, 2013 at 12:03 am by twencelas

Another duel with Tyrus – guaranteed a smile or two with his witty clues. And as I expected full of fun and wit with a series of short and punchy clues. 9ac probably … Read more >>