Each clue contains the name of a picture that has won the Oscar for Best Picture
Observer
Everyman 4,112
It seems that Everyman is now closer to producing the sort of pleasant sound straightforward crossword that we used to see in the Everyman slot and which had seemed to be things of the past.
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (anagram, homophone, juxtaposition, reversal, etc) in italics. Anagrams indicated *(like this) or (like this)*. Link-words in green,
Gemelo 4
Gemelo presents his fourth Observer Sunday cryptic crossword and gives me my first opportunity to blog his Sunday work. I have, however, blogged a number of puzzles under his alter ego, Twin, in the Independent series.
Azed No. 2,769 Plain – Competition Puzzle
As much as I have enjoyed the fresh challenge of the new Gemelo puzzles, I felt as though I was back on more familiar ground with this Azed.
Everyman 4,111
The puzzle may be found (as long as it is made available) at https://observer.co.uk/puzzles/everyman/article/everyman-no-4111.
Everyman No. 4110
As it’s Everyman, you’d expect all the standard features to be present and correct.
Gemelo No. 3
My first Gemelo.
Everyman 4,109/20 July
Another week, another Everyman, with all the usual trademarks.
Gemelo 2
Gemelo’s second puzzle continues to show his promise as a (partial) successor for Azed.
Gemelo No. 1
I have the honour of blogging Gemelo’s first puzzle in The Observer, and very nice it is too: fairly similar in difficulty to Azed and the clues are so far as I can see sound, with pleasantly convincing surfaces. The only apparent difference from Azed is that two of the answers have all their letters checked, something I don’t remember from Azed.
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Anagram indicators in italics. Anagrams indicated *(like this) or (like this)*.
Everyman 4,108
A nice crossword from Everyman with all the usual features, which have been coloured. I imagine poor old Everyman every week thinking “what’s a long word or phrase which has the same number of letters as another one and rhymes or has some other connection with it?” and to manage to find a suitable pair is quite impressive. Many thanks to a friend of mine who explained two where I was lost.
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (homophone, anagram, hidden, reversal, etc) in italics. Anagrams indicated (like this)* or *(like this). Link-words — and there aren’t many of them, a sign of good setting — in green.
Everyman 4,107
The puzzle may be found in interactive form at https://observer.co.uk/puzzles/everyman/article/everyman-no-4107, and as a pdf at https://cdn.observer.co.uk/media/documents/obs.everyman.20250706.pdf.
Azed No. 2,768 plain – competition puzzle
This is the first Azed competition puzzle for which entries may be submitted electronically from within the UK.
Everyman 4,106
Everyman, ‘the crossword world’s entry point since 1945’,
Azed 2767
We have a plain Azed puzzle this week. There is no competition and there are no controversial grid entries that I can see.