Azed gives us these every five years or so. The last (clue-setting competition one, anyway) was in October 2011. So far as I know it is his own idea and must be absolute hell to set. In case you didn’t see the preamble in the paper here it is: ‘Each clue contains a one-word definition of the word required at the number where it stands, but belongs as a whole to a word of the same length elsewhere….’ and he goes on to give some very helpful advice on how to go about solving such a puzzle.
Observer
Everyman 3643
Another good Everyman for solving over Sunday morning coffee (or Saturday morning coffee for our NZ friends). Some fine surfaces, and a good variety of subject matter in the solutions. … Read more >>
Azed 2304
This was my quickest Azed solve for quite a while: I found I’d written in 13 answers after my first pass though the clues, and most of the rest followed easily (albeit with … Read more >>
Everyman 3,642
It’s Sunday, it’s Everyman. It’s what we expect.
AZED 2,303 Plain
Another excellent rummage through Chambers. Thank you AZED.
AZED 2,302
A harder than usual plain puzzle this week, with some knowledge of both French and German of assistance.
Everyman 3,641
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3641.
Everyman 3,640
Steady-as-she-goes from Everyman. A pleasing puzzle.
Azed 2301
A plain Azed puzzle this week with the usual mix of obscure words, Scottish words and everyday words. We also needed a bit of French. There were a couple of … Read more >>
Everyman 3639
Good stuff as usual from Everyman. Apologies for the late appearance of the blog. You’re right: I forgot it was my turn. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
AZED 2,300/mishmash
Surprisingly easy — managed most of the puzzle while watching a replay of Germany/Italy. Probably had to make more trips to the chamberpot than to Chambers. Obviously I was distracted since more than a few sloppy parses pointed out by kind commentators!
Everyman 3,638
Not much to say other than here’s this week’s Everyman
AZED 2,299
As always Azed provides a masterclass in clueing: not always the most riveting surfaces or constructions, but everything utterly sound.
Definitions underlined and in maroon.
Azed 2298 ‘Dry Soldier’
I have a vague feeling that Azed has done a special of this kind before, but I could be wrong. (In case anyone hasn’t spotted it, the title “Dry Soldier” is an anagram … Read more >>
Everyman 3,637
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3637.