Inquisitor

Combined Help by eXternal Each across clue contains a superfluous word; in clue order second letters of the words give an author and penultimate letters give a work. Wordplay in each down clue … Read more >>

The complicated rubric read: The grid should be considered to consist of three zones, each containing the same number of cells but with shapes and locations to be deduced. Thirteen answers are too … Read more >>

Phi is a prolific crossword setter.. His puzzles feature regularly in the Independent daily crossword series and the Saturday Inquisitor puzzles.       The preamble stated: Nine clues have a single-letter misprint … Read more >>

Botox: new? Maybe not: the Listener crossword website says “see Artix & Shark”.   Preamble: Bracketed numbers indicate spaces available but three unchecked cells must initially contain more than one letter. A pair … Read more >>

All Present and Correct by Eclogue Silvered entries are to be deduced from the eight thematic clues, listed in alphabetical order of their solutions, which lack definitions. Initial letters of these entries can … Read more >>

Ah, an Ifor puzzle. We can expect some tricky clues with misleading definitions (though fair) and an intricate end game. The rubric read: There is an extra word of four or more letters … Read more >>

This puzzle is the final one in a series of four Inquisitors compiled by new setters.  The puzzle is entitled Operation and is set by Cranberry       The preamble told us … Read more >>

Check – the third of four new setters in a row.   Preamble: Clues are listed in conventional order. Bars (displaying 180° symmetry) and clue numbering are not required. Two cells are initially … Read more >>

Gold by Karla The wordplay in each of twelve clues contains a superfluous word which may be assigned to one of three thematic sets of four. In the complete grid, solvers must highlight … Read more >>

Hmm. Nathan Panning is a new setter and they are always welcome, but I found this a pretty involved affair! The rubric read: In twelve cells, across and down answers clash. Solvers must … Read more >>

Serpent continues his Mirror Image sequence in this week’s puzzle.       The first two Mirror Image puzzles were based on paintings by Salvador Dali (Swans reflecting Elephants) and Barnett Newman (Onement … Read more >>

I was fully expecting Harribobs at this time of year, but instead up pops Lato (as indeed he did last year).   Preamble: Nine unclued entries, one of two words and one a … Read more >>

Retro by Encota Stage 1 is somewhat like the old ‘Minesweeper’ game where the solver must locate the ‘mines’. The integer in each cell equates to the number of ‘mines’ that are in … Read more >>

Another cracking set. On behalf of all of the solving team, many thanks to all the compilers for their ingenuity. PDMs aplenty, as usual! A Trivial Pursuit – III I’ve done my usual … Read more >>