Observer

Azed No. 2,535 Plain

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An uncontroversial (I think) plain Azed this week. There are a couple of hard to classify clues at 16 and 29 and (particularly) 30 across, but otherwise the usual mix of common and … Read more >>

Everyman 3,873

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The Everyman used to be excellent. Then its setter retired and it went through a short period of being rather unsatisfactory. Now it seems to be returning to its previous standard — harder, … Read more >>

Azed 2534

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A plain competition puzzle from Azed this week       This was a week where I solved more clues on the first pass through than I usually do. We had the usual … Read more >>

Azed No. 2,533 Plain

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A very pleasing selection of unusual words, with one fiendish clue and one rather puzzling one. Thank you Azed. ACROSS 1 SLANTINGWAYS Way t’ inn glass is swirled round obliquely (12) anagram (is … Read more >>

Everyman 3,872

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3872. When this blog comes out, we will be in the New Year, so let us hope for something a little better (can’t get much worse). Everyman, … Read more >>

Everyman 3,871

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The Observer crossword from Dec 20, 2020 Everyman in a festive mood – food and drink aplenty! I counted 14 clues with a ‘culinary’ surface. Apart from the four long ones around the … Read more >>

Everyman 3,870/13 December

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I found this puzzle unsatisfactory on the whole, mainly because of some dubious definitions and unclear wordplay. Your experience may have differed.       Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad … Read more >>

Azed 2531

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The last Azed of 2020 before the Christmas special, and quite a gentle one, I thought. Thanks as always to Azed.             Across 1. POGGE Hard-plated fish from … Read more >>

Everyman 3,869

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Perhaps a slightly trickier Everyman this week, though there are still some easy clues to get started. As usual, Everyman takes liberties with some rather 21a anagram indicators, and similarly the definitions are … Read more >>

Azed No 2,529

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A puzzle with a distinct French character this week. Two French phrases and one word of French extraction as well as some Scottish terms in a generous grid with no fewer than four … Read more >>

Everyman 3,868

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The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3868. I found this considerably easier than last week’s Everyman, but with rather too many questionable details. ACROSS 1 TRENCH COAT Hector can’t change into outerwear (6,4) … Read more >>

Everyman 3,867

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The Observer crossword from Nov 22, 2020 Another Sunday, another Everyman. And I am not complaining. But once again I’ll ask the question “Is it just me who thinks that our Sunday setter … Read more >>

Azed 2528

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A plain puzzle this week requiring a fair bit of general knowledge.       I wonder when this puzzle was compiled as AMBER Rudd who features in the wordplay for 27 across, … Read more >>