Tag Archives: solution

A couple of weeks ago I talked about the unusual clue 0.9 (3) and how it worked. I also mentioned that it took some liberties but ultimately provided enough info for the solver as long as the clue was read … Continue reading →

I’ve written a number of things in this spot about anagrams. First, I like them. Possibly seen as a setter’s lazy option, I’m convinced that a well-disguised anagram is one of the best forms of cryptic clue. It’s easy to … Continue reading →

The Daily Telegraph once did an article about me and cryptics at my home at the time in Thornleigh, and asked if there was someone around who could pose as they took a photo of me explaining how cryptics worked. … Continue reading →

The Stickler Weekly 156 contained the following clue: 3-down Prepared offering party served up? (6,4) [Anagram of OFFERING + DO reversed] Did you realise it was an &lit? There’s an odd expectation that develops when you know (or think) you’ve … Continue reading →

I imagine the small number of regular crossword blogs around the world rely on each other to pick up enough stories that we can all have something to write about. This week’s piece was inspired by a clue highlighted in … Continue reading →

It’s much easier for me to predict that a clue is going to prove difficult for solver than it is to say that it’s going to be easy to solve. I know as I write a clue whether an element … Continue reading →

Some cryptic crossword blogs ask readers to come up a clues for a given word. This is a good thing, giving readers to opportunity to channel their inner setter. Most crossword blogs are attached to a particular crossword or group … Continue reading →

I’m heading off on a tangent this week. The Oxford English dictionary announced its word of the year recently. It came from a shortlist of a “wide range of words which have had an impact on 2016, for better or … Continue reading →

If you are a cryptic crossword solver (and it’s likely you are if you are reading this), then you’ll know that you are part of a minority group. You know because if cryptic crosswords come up in conversation among a … Continue reading →

It might surprise you to know that it unsettles me when solvers express their concerns over certain clues, especially when they feel they have the answer and can’t work out the wordplay. For me, that’s a failure, as no clue … Continue reading →