Inquisitor

Preamble: A quotation suggests why a number of shorter words each forming part of an answer must be replaced by other words, not always of the same length. Numbers in brackets give entry lengths. Unchecked letters within these replacement words can be … Read more >>

The clues were normal this week, no extra or missing letters and no hidden message to discover. The rubric read: Clashes in a small number of cells must be resolved, and the central … Read more >>

When you see the name Schadenfreude you can be sure that you are going get a challenging but scrupulously fair puzzle with a number of layers to peel away as you work your … Read more >>

Seven entries are “starting points” (towns, cities, countries) clued in alphabetical order by wordplay only, and seven rhyming “destinations” are not clued at all. Extra letters in the wordplay of 33 clues spell … Read more >>

Preamble: Each answer must have a letter removed, wherever it occurs, before entry in the grid. Definitions refer to the original answers; wordplay and letter-counts refer to the mutilated forms entered in the … Read more >>

We last met Syd Lexis in Inquisitor 1249, more than a year ago. Welcome back! A long preamble indicated the importance of 1A and 1D: Wordplay in each of six (not seven) across … Read more >>

This is Eclogue’s third puzzle in The Inquisitor series, but I haven’t blogged either of the previous ones. There was a long preamble to the puzzle which stated "Each clue contains a misprint … Read more >>

A long preamble, paraphrased: Two unclued entries describe how 11 thematic answers have to be changed before entry. (In one case there’s a double change, and answer & entry lead to an anagram … Read more >>

Preamble:  A number of clues are afflicted and solvers are advised to follow an expert’s remedy. Having initially found the expert and the affliction, solvers must highlight the remedy in the grid (38 cells). By ‘Eck? By ‘eck, what’s going … Read more >>

Groundhog Year Many thanks to everyone who voted. The fact that around half of the 52 puzzles received at least one vote reflects the diversity and general enjoyment of the puzzles, and the … Read more >>

A relatively short rubric: Solvers are to enact a rhyme, leaving the grid with twelve empty cells. The wordplay generated by one clue overlooks five consecutive letters which carry out a supporting role … Read more >>

There was quite a long preamble to this seasonal offering from Nudd.  The preamble stated " Along with a riddle-like motto reading HI HI HI – IN BAD TRAFFIC I FLY, my Christmas … Read more >>

It was another fantastic year of Inquisitors in this crossword centenary year, for which, on behalf of the solving team, I’d like to thank the ever-ingenious compilers; also to say how much we’ve … Read more >>

It’s a while since I blogged one of Phi‘s puzzles. And before I start, let me wish everyone a happy festive season – I’ll be trekking & camping in the Anti-Atlas (so no … Read more >>

Preamble: Mistakes made in the construction of the grid have resulted in some answers being too long for their allotted space and an equal number being too short. Fortunately, by transferring parts of … Read more >>