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.

Independent Crossword 8680 by Anax (09-08-2014)

Sat August 16, 2014 at 12:05 am by twencelas

As the warm British summer threatens to come to and end, it’s time for another duel with Anax which takes ones mind of the atrocities going on around the world. Always an enjoyable … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1130 What’s the catch? by Picadilly

Sat July 26, 2014 at 10:55 pmFri July 25, 2014 at 10:39 pm by twencelas

What’s the catch? well this week in crosswording terms there are 20 answers to be entered with empty cells. Otherwise straight clues and certainly at the easier end of the EV spectrum with … Read more >>

Independent Crossword 8650 by Anax (05-07-2014)

Sat July 12, 2014 at 10:02 amSat July 12, 2014 at 12:05 am by twencelas

My turn coincides again with Anax’s – I’m sure it will bring a few chuckles. Some lovely stuff here – all very clever, yet nothing that I couldn’t parse. Of the clues : : … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations 1126 Translation by Samson

Sun June 29, 2014 at 10:04 pmFri June 27, 2014 at 10:17 pm by twencelas

A puzzle subject to be found and two of his works. Followed by a translation to be found based on extra letters in the wordplay – sounds like fun. And I was as … Read more >>

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 >>