Never knowingly undersolved
This didn’t seem to me to be so good as some of the recent Everymans: it was sound enough but I think one or two of the surface readings are a bit tortuous, not reading very naturally; and what picture is painted by 12ac or 3dn for example?
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (anagram, homophone, hidden, juxtaposition etc.) in italics. Link-words in green. Anagrams indicated (like this)* or *(like this).
An easier-than-usual puzzle this week.
Because prizes are again being offered for the weekly Azed puzzles, with entries to be postmarked “no later than Monday week”, the blog will now appear early on Tuesday.
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3928.
I don’t know what has prevented the scheduled blogger from appearing today but here instead is an analysis of the clues. If anything needs further explanation just ask. Across 1 International transport system, … Read more >>
This week’s Azed puzzle is one where I got off to a good start but slowed significantly as worked my way through it. I’m unable to parse the clue for … Read more >>
Another solid and tractable puzzle from Everyman to accompany my Sunday morning coffee. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed … Read more >>
A plain offering this week, and not overly difficult. Thank you Azed.
A good crossword from Everyman this week. No major criticisms and few minor.
Definitions underlined, in crimson. Indicators (anagrams, homophones, hidden, etc) in italics. Anagrams indicated *(like this) or (this)*. I’d like to indicate the link-words in some way, but my fear is that I’ll make it all so complicated that it will be pointless; however, I’ll make them green (actually there aren’t many — the sign of good tight setting). Let me know if this helps.
A typical Azed experience for me.
The first Azed after the Christmas special is traditionally supposed a bit gentler than usual, but that wasn’t my experience with this one. All sorted in the end, though. Thanks to Azed, and … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3924.
I found this slow going at first, but I soon got used to the idea I was solving at normal speed again. Thank you Azed.
The Observer crossword from December 19, 2021
It’s Boxing Day today and so my sincerest Season’s Greetings to all solvers (and to Everyman, of course).
Let’s hope 2022 will be a somewhat better year.
But didn’t we say a thing like that a year ago?
Notice: the blog for this puzzle will be published a week later than usual on Sunday 2nd January, the day after the closing date for entries.