A straightforward plain puzzle this week, although there is one clue that troubled me.
Observer
Everyman 3,940
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3940.
Azed 2600
Sundays wouldn’t be the same without an Azed puzzle in the Observer This puzzle is a round number, 2600, which may explain the AZ occurrences in the clues and entries. … Read more >>
Everyman 3,939
It’s Sunday so it’s Everyman – don’t know about you but I was somewhat underwhelmed.
Azed No. 2,599 – Competition Puzzle
A competition puzzle again this week Thank you Azed.
Everyman 3,938/3 April
Another pleasing and tractable puzzle from our Sunday setter. There were some nice touches in this one, I thought, as well as the trademark rhyming pair and ‘initial’ clue. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,598 Plain
A typical Azed plain…
Everyman 3,937
Some good clues here: Everyman has been clever in discovering several apposite anagrams that make for lovely extended definitions. I’m still a bit unsure about one or two of the explanations though, but am sure people will do my job for me. We have the long alliterative clues at 1ac and 26ac, also 5dn, the first letters extended definition, and the self-reference at 9ac.
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (reversal, homophone, hidden, etc) in italics. Link-words in green. Anagrams indicated *(like this) or (like this)*.
Azed 2597
As the Azed series moves into its second half-century, yet another high-quality puzzle. Thanks to Azed Across 1 BRACKISH Mistake imbibing selection of wine, barely drinkable (8)RACK (where wine may be stored) … Read more >>
Everyman 3,936
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3936.
Azed No. 2,596 Plain
Another set of interesting and obscure words to figure out and look up. Thank you Azed.
Everyman 3,935
Our fellow blogger Sil has been a bit unwell recently hence his missing a couple of blogs, so during his convalescence I’m going to be standing in for him.
Get well soon Sil and we’ll share a glass or two of vino sometime.
Azed No. 2,595 ‘Looking Back’ – Competition Puzzle
This puzzle commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the Azed series.
Everyman 3,934/6 March
A pleasing puzzle from Everyman this morning, with a number of stand-out clues and a good variety of devices. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>
Azed 2594
Azed’s 50 years as a setter was marked with an article in last week’s Observer. The article can also be found online by clicking HERE It’s a very impressive achievement to compile 2,594 … Read more >>