Inquisitor

Schadenfreude is a prolific compiler in the Inquisitor series and you always know you are going to get a challenge when you see his name.       The preamble was fairly short … Read more >>

Ifor is becoming (has become?) quite a regular.   Preamble: Before solving, each Down clue must be made smaller by a single letter; the surface reading usually suffers. Reading these letters in correct … Read more >>

Preamble: Answers to the eleven asterisked clues must be changed to a related word of the same length before entry. All other clues have a single-letter misprint: the correct letters (in clue order) … Read more >>

A concise preamble: The three unclued entries will guide the solver to five clues, close viewing of which will lead them in turn to a location in the grid where they should place … Read more >>

I have blogged many Independent puzzles by Phi this year, but it’s nearly two and half years since I blogged one of his Inquisitors.       The preamble read "Wordplay in a … Read more >>

By ‍’Eck, ‍’e’s back for the first time since NY 2014.   Preamble: The grid consists of two crosswords with a common theme. Clues are presented in non-overlapping pairs; either clue appearing first. … Read more >>

Preamble: Solvers must complete the grid, including a health warning which applies to both grid and clues. Each clue is contaminated by a thematic letter, appearing as a misprint in the definition part. … Read more >>

. . . toil and trouble indeed! The rubric read: Each row and each column is referenced by either of two letters – A or B, C or D, etc. Cells are indicated … Read more >>

Eclogue is a fairly regular setter of Inquisitor puzzles.  This is his eighth.  I have blogged a couple of the previous one in January and November 2014.       The preamble told … Read more >>

Base – a new setter enters the fold.   Preamble: Half of the 32 clues are normal. Two characters (to be written below the grid) together connect the 4 unclued perimeter entries and … Read more >>

Preamble: Two characters appear in the completed grid. The unclued lights describe their joint effort and the result. So, Chalicea, she of the short preamble strikes again – not quite as short as … Read more >>

A large 14×14 grid and lots of clues (50) to solve this week. And anagrams galore! The rubric read: All grid entries are real words or phrases. In each across clue, a jumbled … Read more >>

This was a challenge and a half!       The preamble gave some hint of the challenge to come when it told us that: All but seven clues contain a redundant letter. … Read more >>

Schadenfreude seems to be appearing about every other month this year.   Preamble: 13 clues each have a misprint in the definition. The correct letters can be arranged to form the phrase to … Read more >>

Preamble: Answers to the 24 normal clues extend beyond the boundaries of the grid; “extended” letters spell two thematic phrases to be entered below it. Wordplay in each remaining clue leads to the … Read more >>