Really quite enjoyed this one. Some tricky clues, but plenty of entry points and an abundance of great surfaces.
Observer
AZED 2,293
Nothing really to say. The usual excellent display of sound clue-setting from Azed. I can’t understand what is given in the paper and on the site as 33ac but is really 35ac, but no doubt someone will explain.
Definitions underlined and in maroon.
Azed 2292
This puzzle seems to have a higher-than-usual proportion of unfamiliar words, in both answers and wordplay, which probably explains why I found it quite hard. But soundly clued as always, and satisfying to … Read more >>
Everyman 3631
Another good puzzle from Everyman for our Sunday morning entertainment (or Saturday morning for our NZ contributors). Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram … Read more >>
Everyman 3,630
It’s a May Day puzzle, but no need for alarms or SOS here
AZED 2,291
I have not done a Printer’s Devilry before. I like it, great fun!
AZED 2,290
A plain Azed with one unusual feature: there were twice as many words of Hindustani origin as Scottish ones.
Everyman 3,629
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3629.
Everyman 3,628
Hello all, Apologies for the crude formatting today: I couldn’t get the usual tool to work, so have been inputting the clues by hand. I found this pretty tough to be honest, but … Read more >>
Azed 2289
This was a typical plain Azed crossword. The clueing was precise and the vocabulary was a mix of modern and arcane. I solved about half of this without reference to … Read more >>
AZED 2,288
A fairly straightforward puzzle this week — if that’s an appropriate term for a cryptic. Struggled on a couple of wordplays but nothing that the BRB didn’t resolve. For some reason the grid isn’t showing the D in serdab (22D). I suspect a bit of a laxative theme.
Everyman 3627
Another good one from Everyman this morning, with some trademark multi-part clues. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed definitions … Read more >>
Everyman 3,626
A lovely Spring morning here in deepest Suffolk, a spot of gardening (ok I was coerced by Mrs Flashling) & then the crossword.
Azed 2287
The usual Azed. A whole lot of rare words (how does he know them?) all accurately clued and perfectly straightforward once one has the answer, although getting it in the first place is … Read more >>
Azed 2286
Apologies for the slightly delayed appearance of this blog – I had made a start on it last Sunday and then completely forgot about it. Fairly average on the Azed difficulty scale, I … Read more >>