A plain puzzle from Azed.
Azed
Azed 2656
Now that the Observer has amended/clarified the rules for submitting Azed solutions we’re going back to publishing the blogs on the Sunday after the puzzle appears. After my first pass through the clues … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,655 ‘Printer’s Devilry’ – Competition Puzzle
Azed produces these every year or two and they are very clever and great fun, but when I saw that it was a P.D. my heart sank, as they take me a long time to do and I wasn’t sure that I’d finish in time. However, having done several of these over the years I’m probably finding them easier. Why it should be that they appeal to the majority of solvers goodness knows, but they do, and the names of the prizewinners in Azed’s lists are much the same names as in his regular crosswords. They divide opinion a bit, and a few don’t like them at all. Personally I enjoy them despite their difficulty: the moment of realisation when what was a slightly clunky and incomprehensible sentence reveals itself is very nice.
The instructions I find pretty incomprehensible and it’s only by learning from various other sources that I know what to do. Why Azed bothers to say ‘Preference is given to…’ I can’t understand, since all the clues that I’ve ever seen quoted have been ‘correct’. Should he not make it a rule?
Azed No. 2,654 Plain
A straightforward plain from Azed this week, but one clue had me puzzled.
Azed 2653
We have a plain Azed puzzle this week, as is often the case mid month. I wonder how often Azed uses entries that appear under the same headword entry in … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,652 Plain
This week’s puzzle seemed relatively straightforward, with some nice surfaces and only a few notes/questions indicated below.
Azed No. 2,651 Plain
I struggled with this plain Azed.
Azed 2650
Yet another masterclass in the setter’s art. Thanks to Azed. Across 1 AMBUSCADO American rotter appearing in pulpit, delivering surprise attack (9)US CAD in AMBO (a type of pulpit). I originally had … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,649 Plain
I found some of this rather difficult and my apologies, from time to time I’m a bit vague. But I’m sure someone will explain things and then, as always, it will be quite obvious.
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Anagram indicators in italics.
Azed No. 2,648 Plain
A trickier than usual 13 x 11 grid this week.
Azed 2647
We have a plain puzzle from Azed this week I thought this a puzzle towards the easier end of Azed’s spectrum with quite a few entries that would be … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,646 ‘Cherchez la Femme’ – Competition Puzzle
This is the first ‘Cherchez la Femme’ since Azed 2,515 on August 22, 2020, which was one of the first few Azed puzzles that I ever attempted, and the first Azed “special” that I completed, so it is a particular treat for this to have come up on my turn at the blog.
Azed No. 2,645 Plain
A typical Azed plain.
Azed 2644
Sorry for the late appearance of this blog – I’d started it earlier in the week, but was distracted by other matters and forgot to finish it. As a result some of the … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,643 Plain
How Azed manages to produce these grids is a source of amazement. I think he does it all by hand in an exercise book, and doesn’t call upon electronic help. We have three eleven-letter answers from top to bottom, and nothing seems to be strained (although perhaps caa’s was a bit of a stretch). There are one or two places where I’m not quite sure; no doubt all will be explained.
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Anagram indicators in italics.