I’m still finding it hard to get on Gemelo’s wavelength, though in retrospect there’s nothing to cause too much difficulty here, apart from some unfamiliar words (which are part of the fun of these puzzles, so no complaints there). Thanks to Gemelo for the challenge.
Gemelo
Gemelo No. 15 – it could be verse
A nice crossword from Gemelo but probably not one of his most difficult. The construction is often quite simple and one just has to see it.
He has made a rod for his back by having the clues written in iambic pentameter with an ABAB rhyme scheme. This is very clever and must have made it quite difficult for him, but I can’t see the point. The solver is in just the same position as normal; all the extra difficulty is with the setter: one can admire his ingenuity but doesn’t have to do anything special.
Definitions underlined, in crimson. Anagram indicators indicated (like this)*.
Gemelo No. 14 – plain
A plain puzzle from Gemelo this week.
Gemelo No. 13 – Plain
Stepping back from last week’s anagrammatic convolutions, this week’s “plain” Gemelo seemed relatively straightforward by comparison. Completion of the grid was helped considerably by solving the four perimeter clues.
Gemelo No. 12 – For a Change
Special instructions for this puzzle were:
Each clue gives, in any order:
(i) definition of the entry;
(ii) definition of an anagram of the entry;
(iii) wordplay for that anagram
Gemelo 11
I continue to find Gemelo quite a challenge, and I think this was one of the hardest yet, with several clues taking me a while to parse even after I was confident of … Read more >>
Gemelo No. 10 – plain
A plain puzzle from Gemelo this week, but it was by no means straightforward
Gemelo 9
Gemelo has set a puzzle where he has imposed constraints upon the words he can use in each clue. Every clue is constructed from words of the same length as the associated entry.
Gemelo No. 8 – Plain
This is my first foray into blogging a Gemelo puzzle. I have managed to solve Nos. 1-7, but I would agree with Andrew’s comment from last week, that the style of the clues is a little different from Azed–a style that I am still getting the hang of. This week’s grid is unusual for having six fully-checked three-letter solutions.
Gemelo 7
Gemelo seems to be settling nicely into the Sunday slot. His puzzles have a bit of a different feel to Azed’s (in a way that’s hard to put my finger on) but are enjoyable and well constructed nonetheless, so thanks to him for this one.
Gemelo No. 6 – plain
Gemelo has settled nicely into his slot. I enjoyed this. No major criticisms and good surfaces, everything sound so far as I can see. Definitions underlined, in crimson. anagram indicators in italics. ACROSS … Read more >>
Gemelo No. 5 – Special mentions
Each clue contains the name of a picture that has won the Oscar for Best Picture
Gemelo 4
Gemelo presents his fourth Observer Sunday cryptic crossword and gives me my first opportunity to blog his Sunday work. I have, however, blogged a number of puzzles under his alter ego, Twin, in the Independent series.
Gemelo No. 3
My first Gemelo.
Gemelo 2
Gemelo’s second puzzle continues to show his promise as a (partial) successor for Azed.