Observer

Azed 2162

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Not sure how hard this actually was since I solved it over several days in between various meetings.   Found TBRB quite useful — understatement of the year. Across 1 GOSS,I,B – a … Read more >>

AZED 2,161

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The usual very pleasant workout from Azed. I always find that I make steady progress and then reach an impasse, when I simply can’t parse one or two of the clues. But they … Read more >>

Everyman 3500/3 November

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A special edition puzzle from Everyman this week.   Lorraine wasn’t able to blog this one, so you’ll have to put up with me two weeks running.  I’m happy to help, especially since … Read more >>

Azed 2160

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I found this mostly pretty easy, finishing it (so I thought) without aids in about half an hour, greatly helped by getting the long answers at 1a and 1d early on. Writing up … Read more >>

Everyman 3499/27 October

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Another well-constructed, accessible puzzle from Everyman.  A couple of clue types that this setter doesn’t often use in today’s offering.         Abbreviations cd  cryptic definition dd  double definition (xxxx)*  anagram … Read more >>

AZED No. 2,159 Plain

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Nick:  Very tough cluing this week from Azed. 13ac, 31ac, 4dn, 16dn and 27dn caused me a few moments of head scratching trying to parse the clues correctly.   Finally 18ac was a … Read more >>

AZED No 2,158

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In this puzzle, which features a 13 by 11 grid, Azed gives us 3 long answers both across and down.  The puzzle also includes a larger than usual number of 4 letter words, … Read more >>

Azed 2157

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17:30 21 October – corrupted data in the file has been removed – the blog now reads correctly. This was a Carte Blanche Competition Puzzle from Azed where solvers were presented with a … Read more >>

Azed 2157 – Closing Date

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Due to an error in some editions of the Observer last week, the closing date for entries for this puzzle has been extended by a week. As a result, the relevant blog will … Read more >>

Everyman 3,496 (6/10/13)

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Everyman invariably provides a gentle start to a Sunday morning and this was no exception. Many good surfaces and plenty of anagrams and charades which led to a speedy solve. One unfamiliar, for … Read more >>

Azed 2156

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I found this somewhat harder than usual fare.  Maybe I was distracted but it took more than a couple of hours to crack. Across 1 APPL(ERING)IE[d] – yes, a type of wormwood I … Read more >>

Everyman 3495/29 September 2013

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One or two little niggles when I was writing up the blog, but overall another sound as a pound Sunday puzzle from Everyman.         Abbreviations cd  cryptic definition dd  double … Read more >>