Anax, which is very entertaining and
proves that solving this type of puzzle doesn’t always need to
be a slog.
Mysti’s third
puzzle has a theme and as usual contains some very
interesting and innovative clueing.
It is
always good to have fresh blood on this site and I am
very impressed by Niemand’s debut
puzzle, which makes makes some excellent use of that staple of
crosswords, the cryptic-only definition.
Another splendid puzzle
from Anax is “Games” which has an
Olympic theme. This is cryptic clueing at its very
best.
Boyar’s debut here is an
impressive one – another new setter with flair and originality
who should go far. The debut puzzle from Sleight has a food theme. It’s an
extremely enjoyable puzzle with some fresh and original ideas,
including some cracking cryptic-only definitions. Xenos is another new compiler, whose
puzzle is full of fresh ideas and not too difficult, so it can
be enjoyed by all. Sleight’s second
offering is a fiendish cryptic that will challenge even
advanced solvers. Some of the clues in this puzzle are worthy
of the Times crossword.
I am delighted to include Boaz’s first puzzle, It’s a terrific
solve and further proof that there are many excellent new
setters who can be trusted with the future of cryptic
crosswords. Dylan, yet another good
setter making his debut here, has provided us with a fun,
plain cryptic with some clever touches in the
clues. Mad has provided an
excellent thematic for his first puzzle on the site. This
one was great fun to solve and is thoroughly recommended.
Hisashi’s first puzzle is also
a thematic, the first crossword from this setter to
appear here. This one is a very enjoyable solve.
Anax makes a welcome reappearance with a
superb plain barred puzzle. Regulars will need no further
introduction from me.
Mysti ’s
fourth is quite a challenge, probably his best so far. It
displays his usual flair and originality. Dylan makes a second appearance with a
challenging, entertaining puzzle full of innovative ideas and
wit. This is a fine puzzle guaranteed to keep solvers on their
toes. Hypatia has provided a puzzle
which is simple but elegant. This one is particularly suitable
for those starting out as solvers but also as balm for those
who want a break from barred thematics with complicated
preambles!
The
puzzle by Kryptonologist marks another
impressive debut. This is a puzzle full of well-disguised
definitions and clever misdirections. Radler’s puzzle has a lovely theme and
will be enjoyed by those who like a tough challenge. I snapped
up a second puzzle from Radler
and published it much more quickly than I usually would put
out two puzzles by the same setter. This puzzle has a long
answer spanning several entries, plus cleverly-worked thematic
material and some tremendous clues.
Boaz is back with
another elegantly clued puzzle, following his very impressive
debut at the end of 2008. Halcyon’s puzzle is a real
challenge. This is a setter who has the ability
to exploit the English language to produce fascinating
crossword clues. Anax takes time
out from his work at the Times,
Independent and now the
FT to make
another appearance here; his latest is an amusing thematic
which is more than adequate proof of why this setter is in
such high demand.
Dalibor has
offered a puzzle full of fiendishly tricky and original
clueing devices, which will give even the most advanced
solvers’ brains a workout. An excellent start from another
promising new setter. Maddy is a new compiler from
India and his offering here is full of
fresh ideas and
amusing wordplay.