Friday, 8 August 2025

Crossword News August 2025

 Crossword News August 2025

The July Prize Puzzle was Dame by Skylark. The theme is the acclaimed writer, Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, who wrote as A.S Byatt. Extra letters spelled: AMEND FOUR ERRORS IN PEN NAME, THEN HIGHLIGHT IT. Three of her novels were in the perimeter, Possession, The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye and Elementals. Correct clashes gave A S BYATT diagonally.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

Sat down with this on the understanding that I only had a few minutes, and would finish it at a later session...and rattled through it promptly. Helped that Possession is near the top of my mental list of books I really should get round to reading. She's so familiar as ASB that it was a small delay to realise it is actually a pseudonym - technically speaking, I suppose Fay Weldon would count the same.

Classic Skylark fare - a tribute to a creative soul. Possession has been on my reading list for a very long time, I really need to get around to it (after all the solving, of course!) Those word changes were very satisfying, as ever. Thanks, Skylark.

I liked that HIGHLIGHT appeared near the end of the instructions given by the removed letters, because I think it's often easy to spot when it's the first word. I generally think it's better to have to change letters in the grid to reveal something, rather than just highlight something that's already there. I didn't find it too hard to work out which letters to change once I knew what I was looking for and I liked that as many as four out of the seven letters of the name resulted from changes. I did think having to then highlight the name seemed a little excessive, since I can't believe that a solver could fill the grid correctly including the names of the thematic works and changing letters to make the name appear without having seen the name. However, I also think it's generally preferable that all of the clues contribute to a hidden instruction, and obviously the highlighting requirement helps to achieve this, but I will feel sorry for anyone who submits a correctly filled grid but forgets to do the highlighting.

There were 60 entries, of which 10 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner was Danuta Rosendorff, who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary, which is donated by the publishes.

There is a solution to Dame at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/08/solution-to-dame-by-skylark.html

You still have time to compete the August puzzle, Birthday Party by Arcadia.
https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/07/birthday-party-by-arcadia-august-2025.html

For September we will be republishing a crossword that we had in 2014. Suckers by Bufo appeared at the time that, we later learned, our marker, Trevor Crowther, was seriously ill in hospital. He later died and we lost all the entries and comments. When I was in Southport, I suggested to Peter Rhodes that we should publish it again and he thought it was a good idea.

We are still short of crosswords for the autumn months.
***
Tom Johnson has been setting crosswords in The Spectator as Doc since 1981. He has now written a book about his extraordinary crossword career.

ALL SQUARED, a book about the crossword career of Tom Johnson, is now available from him, costing £12.99 + £5 P&P. Tom has compiled for the Spectator since 1981, he compiled puzzles for the first 640 issues of the Puzzler and has so far set all 330+ Generalist puzzles in Prospect, he was invited to take over compiling the Jumbo Bank Holiday crosswords from Araucaria in the Guardian and was one of the first four setters of the Polymath crosswords in the Financial  Times.  He is editor of the Spectator and New Statesman crossword series.

Tom covers his crossword story for ten different newspapers and periodicals and combines this story with a historical record of these crossword series -- Birmingham Mail Reader’s Crossword, Radio Times, Guardian and 1 Across, Spectator, The Puzzler, Prospect’s Generalist puzzle, Financial Times, The Cricketer, Scottish Island Explorer magazine and Daily Telegraph. Ninety of Tom’s puzzles are reprinted -- from each of the ten periodicals. Tom believes that no other crossword book has covered British crossword history in this way or to this extent.

The book has been published privately by Tom and is available only from him direct. Please email him at puzzler@btinternet.com for details of how to obtain a copy. Orders will be dispatched as quickly as possible.
***
The first Gemelo crossword appeared in The Observer on Sunday 13 July. I found it to be a nice solve and as difficult as the Azed. I really liked the on-line entry method which was easy and saved the cost of postage stamp. The second Gemelo was a tour de force; the letter E was not used in any of the clues but in the grid the only vowel used was E!

The Observer also published an excellent article about Azed, including an interview.

https://observer.co.uk/puzzles/azed/article/in-setting-any-crossword-clue-always-always-think-of-the-solver

You can follow the article to meet the rest of the Observer crossword team, Gemelo (Colin Thomas, Caitlin O’Kane the crossword editor, John Grimshaw the Azed editor and Alan Connor who sets the Everyman. You can also meet Stuart Pawley who sets the Killer Sudoku.

Colin Thomas also appeared on the TV programme, Countdown. In a tough contest where both competitors scored over 100, Colin was beaten on the conundrum after punting, in an earlier round, for PINTFUL, a word that was not in their dictionary.
***
Dimitry Adamskiy, whose name is often listed first in the Magpie 100% solvers' list, has been posting a short review of each Listener (once the solutions become live) on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mityaadamskiy
These short videos are a fascinating way of seeing how a top solver approaches the solving process.
***
The delay in publishing the Azed Slip for July is probably because Azed is on his annual holiday in France.
***
Best wishes
Derek Harrison

Solution to Dame by Skylark

 Dame by Skylark - Solution

The theme is the acclaimed writer, Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, who wrote as A.S Byatt.  Extra letters spelled: AMEND FOUR ERRORS IN PEN NAME, THEN HIGHLIGHT IT.




Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Birthday Party by Arcadia - August 2025

 Birthday Party by Arcadia


All across clues are normal, but the top row is unclued. 14D is thematic and unclued, although referenced by wordplay in one across clue. All other down clues are normal, except that the wordplay for one clue in each column leads to an extra letter which must be entered in the barred-off bottom row. Filling in the three grey cells will enable the top and bottom rows to match appropriately.


Across
13 Regions in Near East (5)
15 About third of a mile from Preseli to time control (6)
16 “Sure thing” created by leaders of Caernarfonshire Eisteddfod reps' team (4)
17 Lord King denying opening to mathematician (5)
18 Violin mostly reflecting professional skills (4)
19 Ancient eared bottle, price about a pound (7)
20 Wet one's whistle finally, drinking most of champagne (6)
21 Law Officer, flexible but never laughing (9)
22 Face claim after work (6)
24 Cuts away from scripture lessons by nonconformists (7)
26 See to clothe clergyman uprightly (7)
29 Case for S4C to introduce naked Eolian drinking songs (6)
31 Writing-desk of friend of Socrates in Republic (9)
33 Tense from delirious satori (6)
35 Waits on document signed at 22.00 beforehand (7)
36 Other source of Elan, twice skirting borders of Llanidloes (4)
37 Feet of one leaderless Disney deer (5)
38 Fluellen essentially kills exhausted deer (4)
39 Still 50-50 overs (6, two words)
40 Previously Italian bread had no buyers? (5)
41 Difference engine, uncovered, must hide its working (12)
Down
1 Note traces of injury in 25's crew (7)
2 Nasal explosions not previously raising awareness (6)
3 Move rapidly, as river Taff's first entering cwm (6)
4 Socially excludes damned bigots, with energy over time (11)
5 Snow White perhaps runs out of robust covering at Sam Tan's base? (11, two words)
6 Shape showing tenor for deserted shed (5)
7 Severe, ardent Anglican (6)
8 Airier points muddling qualities based on theoretical deduction (11)
9 Mat finally set back after slope in the gymnasts' vaulting aids (10)
10 Savory, say, served up regularly in Abernethy (4)
11 Briefly ruin enthusiasm (5)
12 Climb disused pig pen (4)
14 unclued (10, two words)
23 Glance away after surprise expressed about agreement (7)
25 Indian bosun's right to stop litter by rear of brig (6)
27 Powerless to contend with membraneous flap in space by intestines (6)
28 Rearing little piggy, suppressing its cry after the first wee-wee (6)
30 Refined lining of Welsh gold crowns borders (5)
32 Burns snubbed doctor of law (5)
33 Bashed out, striking son in cot (4)
34 According to nature penetrating humour doesn't exist (4)

Entries
To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th September 2025. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers.


Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Crossword News July 2025

 Crossword News July 2025

The June Prize Puzzle was Current Affairs by Hedge-sparrow. Choosing the correct letters in clashes gave WIND. The names of four winds were entered in the correct direction and solvers had to highlight four more winds, also in the correct directions. We accepted BUSTER as an alternative for AUSTER as they are both names for south winds. This elegant crossword was chosen for June as on the 15th of June it was World Wind Day.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

I am amazed at the construction of the grid with all the winds symmetrically placed and moving in the right direction and the bar pattern also having 90° symmetry, I don't see how anyone can set another puzzle about winds after this one.

Isn't it strange how these sets of directional winds are of equal length? The end product is beautifully symmetrical. Many thanks to Hedge-sparrow and The Crossword Centre.

A very nicely crafted puzzle. Gosh it took me forever to realise the 'directions' of the winds. Very satisfying to finally crack it.

There were 57 entries, of which 10 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner is John Doylend who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary which was donated by Chambers. I am happy to tell you that Chambers have sent me another dozen copies which will keep us in prizes for the next year.

There is a solution to Current Affairs here.

And what do solvers think of our new entry method?

I much prefer this way of entering.

This new method of entry is BRILLIANT! You could teach the newspapers a thing or two!

I have just discovered this website in my crosswording adventures and this is my first entry! Very user-friendly and intuitive entry form, great!

What a great design for inserting answers, highlighting & submitting our entries.
It certainly saves us a lot of time & effort.
I think perhaps you should teach The Guardian how you’ve designed it!

I am indebted to Adam Vellender for designing this fantastic marking app.

There is till lots of time for you to submit your solution to the July puzzle – Dame by Skylark.
https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/06/july-2025-prize-puzzle-dame-by-skylark.html

The August Prize Puzzle will be Birthday Party by Arcadia. Our pipeline is looking very dry at the moment and we would welcome new submissions.

***
The inaugural World Cryptic Crossword Championship (WCCC) 2025, organized by Extra-C, took place in London on 29 June. 17 participants from nine nations fought it out at the Indian high commission’s Nehru Centre over two difficult crosswords. Then the six finalists moved into the final round. They were Mark Goodliffe, Colin Thomas, John Henderson, representing the UK, Matthew Marcus (USA), Shashwat Salgaonkar (India) and Phil Coote (Australia).

In the final round the contestants had to solve a clue in a blank grid, with no crossing letters. When they failed to solve they had to pass the clue to the next contestant. The winner was Mark Goodliffe with Colin Thomas in second place and John Henderson in third.

The whole event is filmed on YouTube and you can watch it here https://www.youtube.com/live/V0cIy6qCPX0?si=HLxHogQvLfgxO_4D
***
There are lots of changes at The Observer.
The biggest change of all, though, will be that Azed from now on will be setting only the competition puzzles, the remaining ones being set by Colin Thomas under the new pseudonym of Gemelo, with his debut puzzle due to appear on 13th July.  'Gemelo' is Spanish for Twin, which many of you will know has for some years been the alter ego he has adopted for crosswords that he's had published in the likes of the Magpie and the Listener.  Among his many achievements, he is a two-time winner of the Ascot Gold Cup for best Listener puzzle of the year, and just last weekend in London finished runner-up (to Mark Goodliffe) in the inaugural World Cryptic Crossword Championship.  For those who haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting Colin, he's due to make his debut as a contestant on Channel 4's Countdown on Friday 25th July.
After 53 years of setting, Azed deserves a breather. It has been an incredible achievement to produce high-quality crosswords every week.

In the Observer, it was announced that from the 7th July, for Azed crosswords. online entries will be accepted as well as postal entries (to be addressed to Tortoise rather than to PO Box 518).  You might not yet be aware, however, that from this month onwards Azed will be judging the competition 'blind', from an anonymized list of clues sent to him by the Observer, from which he will choose the winning three entries plus VHCs; once the results have been published in the paper, he will then write the Slip as usual.  

The latest slip with the results of the clues for CONCISION is available on the Crossword Centre. http://www.crossword.org.uk/Azed2763.pdf

Making it two months in a row, the winner was Richard Heald with this clue.
Brevity is the soul of wit should stop offender using palillogy?

(is i in con⁵, con⁵)
***
John Henderson has announced details of the legendary York S &B for 24th and 25th October.

Friday 24th: Quiz Night

As last year, Gustav’s excellent Quiz will take place in the upstairs function room at Stableside from 630-830pm. Food (home-made pizzas and sides) will be provided (£5 per head). There are no draft ales available at the bar, but I have ordered some “tried and tested” local craft beers for the event.

Afternoon arrivers will be meeting in the nearby Fox & Roman pub. No doubt there will be post-quiz drinks here too …

Saturday 25th: Puzzle Day

Our venue is again the downstairs bar and function room at the Marcia Inn in Bishopthorpe (www.marciainnbishopthorpe.co.uk). We will be following last year’s Saturday timetable for Puzzle Day from opening time (11am). A hot (meat or vegetarian) lunch (£14, tbc) will be available.

John is asking for potential attenders to register, which you can do at the link below.

https://www.fifteensquared.net/2025/07/07/sb-york-2025-friday-24th-saturday-25th-october-2025/
***
The next Listener Gathering will be on Saturday 26th July, from about midday onwards, at the Sir John Oldcastle in Farringdon. This is always a great chance to meet the Listener team and chat to solvers and setters.

Cryptic Corner with Susie Mesure will be on Tuesday, 15 July·18:30 – 20:30 at The Montpellier, 43 Choumert Road, London SE15 4AR. A friendly meeting to discuss cryptic crosswords and solve a puzzle.
***
Yet another comedian has started setting crosswords. Angela Barnes has had her first puzzle published in The Guardian under the pseudonym of Ariel. You can read the article here.
***
Best wishes
Derek

 

Solution to Current Affairs by Hedge-sparrow

 Current Affairs by Hedge-sparrow - Solution

The theme (given by letters retained at clashes) is WIND; the phrasing of the preamble is intended to suggest that names of four different winds must be entered at the unclued entries in their appropriate directions.  The winds to be highlighted by solvers are similarly thematically directed in the grid.

No.

Derivation

Answer/Entry

 

 

 

1

(E SIR)<

RISE

6

 

ZEPHYR

11

LIT in SHOE<

EOLITHS

12

AONI(a)*

NAOI

13

WROTE*

TWOER

14

(l)OUVRE around E

[Musée = “Museum in France”]

OEUVRE

15

US< in TARS

TAESUS

17

U OAR<

URAO

18

PICNIC (sounds like “pick nick”)

PICNIC

20

ASS in SARGO

SARGASSO

21

(LOST ITEM)*

TIME SLOT

25

LATES(t) around K

LATKES

27

(lab)ORAT(ory)

TARO

29

ASSAI S

ASSAIS

32

E(mporium) I SELL

EISELL

33

I in (BOG (brok)E)

BOGIE

34

LAG< A

GALA

35

(A R AGAIN)<

NIAGARA

36

 

LEVANT/TNAVEL

37

(K SS) around I

KISS

 

 

 

1

 

AUSTER/RETSUA

2

O(il) in ITA

IOTA

3

NAGS< around ((be)L(ls) O)

SLOGAN

4

A in STRES(s)

STRAES

5

((discree)T (graceful)L (undergarment)S) around HERMA

THERMALS

7

E(ntering) M(arathon) E(nds) U(p)

EMEU

8

HEAVEN - E

HAVEN

9

(YOK around R) HIS*

YORKISH

10

R EMI(t)*

RIEM

15

TOPE KA

TOPEKA

16

SCAT T S

SCATTS

18

PRO LAMIN(a)

PROLAMIN

19

DIN around ARIA

DIARIAN

22

TRIAL around B

TRIBAL

23

AILING*

NILGAI

24

 

BOREAS

26

TESLA (double def.)

TESLA

28

PENT (double def.)

PENT

30

SLOE (= LOSE with S brough up)

SLOE

31

BIRD (sounds like “burred”)

BIRD

 



Sunday, 29 June 2025

July 2025 Prize Puzzle - Dame by Skylark

 Dame by Skylark


An extra letter in each clue should be removed before solving, which in the order given, spells out instructions for solvers.

Reading clockwise from the top left corner, the unclued border contains three works by the subject. It may be completed using the letters in: JEE, HYPE IS ASININE.
The Chambers Dictionary (2016) is the primary reference.

Across
9 Pass Indian tea again, skipping daughter (6)
10 Unhappy tramps beginning to hook fish (4)
11 Pete's conservative avoiding spice (4)
12 Southern inn reportedly hides dances (6)
14 Dry dropping dated amateur song (4) 
15 Rodent's fare I drag back (5)
16 Returning plunder, coast place for storing utensils (8, 2 words)
17 Regularly envoy lauds Roman name (5)
18 Narked, gently push German leaving (4)  
20 Drunk lamed sane sailor (8)
22 Ed's drawn Macbeth's dread hiding evil (7) 
26 Dull lover's form of dominoes (8)
28 Picture spoilt in centre by prisoner (4)
29 Select group's manager finally rested: ecstasy! (5)
31 Note Stokes blocking fast endures to the end (8, 2 words)
33 Francis entering permits sides (5)
35 Change Cuban wood (4)
36 Pace case regarding church vestibule (6)
37 Friend's oddly agile hiding shame ultimately (4) 
38 European shortened elderly nutter's uniform (4)
39 Heads second failure, accepting none backsliding (6)

Down
1 Tense avoiding stair, almost awaken fragrant (7) 
2 Will's husked nut, lord's covering top of meat (7)
3 Legal ease regularly protecting every roof's edges (5)
4 Told card game's shut (4)
5 Three sons walk in Paris (6)
6 Ring chief about new planet (8) 
7 Made of loose threads for locals, then? Strange (7)
8 Hurry Hess halving extreme dislike (5)
13 Litter's hidden by Jessie dancing (5)
19 Support cycle crossing top of gentry's street (8)
21 Suppresses special sherry-infused dessert, shun cut recipe (7)
23 Bald Carlos dismisses cold garret (5)
24 Fair accepting contralto for tenor's musical accompaniment (7) 
25 Grand topless accommodation's stirring (7)
27 Wandering about in countryside, chanting and grazing (6)
30 Quit acting, interrupting guests, shortly (5)
32 Married loiter forgetting rector's aims (5)
34 Scottish town supporting priest is suffering (4)

Entries
To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th August 2025. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers.



Tuesday, 10 June 2025

Crossword News June 2025

 

Crossword News June 2025

The May Prize Puzzle was Gig Economy. The theme was Barbeque 67, thought to be the first rock festival. The event was held in TULIP BULB AUCTION HALL in Spalding, given by extra letters in down clues. Solvers were to change 1a BOUTIQUE to BARBEQUE and highlight it along with the numbers 6 and 7. Solvers were also to change 16 letters so as to show six acts in the grid. I thought it was amazing that Wan fitted all six acts in the grid. CREAM, JIMI HENDRIX, GENO WASHINGTON, PINK F, FLOYD, ZOOT MONEY and MOVE.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

After completing the grid, I still had no idea what the theme was, but luckily searching for the extra letters from the down clues online gave the Wikipedia article about the theme as the first result. I had solved the puzzle quite late in the month, so I wondered if my search results had been influenced by many others also searching for this phrase and then visiting the relevant page. I don't see how I could have worked out the theme without the helpful information.

I enjoyed the task of changing letters in the grid to make the names of the acts, and I liked that all new entries were real words even though it wasn't promised. I also liked that the changes made the final grid a pangram, even though I later realised that the thematic material in the grid is actually pangrammatic.

A well-crafted crossword with an endgame that taught me something. Who knew that the first rock festival was in the UK and not California. Thanks Wan.

Very nice puzzle - an interesting theme, good to find out about something completely new to me. The construction was also impressive to leave real words in the grid after the changes -- kudos to Wan.

There were 43 entries, of which 10 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner was Chris Chatwin, who will be receiving a copy of Chambers Crossword Dictionary. I am down to my last of the books that Chambers sent last year. At the moment I am doubtful whether the sponsorship will continue.

There is a solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/06/solution-to-gig-economy-by-wan.html

There is still time for you to solve the June Prize Puzzle, Current Affairs by Hedge-sparrow. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/05/june-2025-prize-puzzle-current-affairs.html

The July challenge will be Dame by Skylark. Skylark is from Stockport, has two children, who are now young adults, and loves reading, family fun and games. 

She wrote The Einstein Code, The Darwin Code and The Quantum Code for children before submitting her first crossword - and was amazed when The Times accepted it for a Listener.

***
The inaugural World Cryptic Crossword Championship (WCCC) 2025, organized by Extra-C, is rapidly approaching, promising to be a landmark event for cryptic crossword enthusiasts worldwide. Set to elevate the art of cryptic crosswords to a global stage, WCCC 2025 features both an online Individual Championship and an in-person Team Championship in London. 

Key Highlights:
Dates: The Individual Championship will be held online on June 28, 2025, followed by the Team Championship in London on June 29, 2025.
Star-Studded Participants: The WCCC is attracting top international talent. Invited participants representing their countries includes several recognized names such as:
England: Mark Goodliffe (Reigning Times Crossword Champion)
USA: Matthew Marcus (Times Crossword Champion 2023)
Australia: Philip Coote (Star performer in The Indian Crossword League)

Many others have signed up to participate as well and details of other invited participants will be revealed by the organizers in the coming days.

Registration & Eligibility: Participation in WCCC 2025 is seamlessly integrated with registration for ACAD Global, Extra-C's daily online international crossword challenge. Registration for ACAD Global is free and mandatory for both WCCC championships. Solvers can register at https://acadglobal.crypticsingh.com/registration. ACAD Global serves as excellent practice for the WCCC.

Individual Championship (Online):
Date & Time: June 28, 2025, 1 PM – 2 PM (GMT) on www.crypticsingh.com.
Format: Two cryptic crosswords, each to be completed within 30 minutes.
Prizes: $1000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd, and $250 for 3rd.


Team Championship (WCCC World Cup – London, In-Person):
Date & Time: June 29, 2025, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM GMT at Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London.
Prizes: $1500 for 1st place, $1000 for 2nd, and $500 for 3rd.
Eligibility: Invited Country Representatives and open Challenger Participants who have registered for ACAD Global.
Format: A preliminary written round, followed by an on-stage final for the top solvers, featuring cold solving cryptic crossword clues in a quiz format.

This promises to be a thrilling event, bringing together the best minds in cryptic crosswords from around the globe. Don't miss it.
***
I often watch Simon Anthony and Mark Goodliffe solving sudokus on their Cracking the Cryptic YouTube channel. Simon now solves the Friday Times crossword which has become more and more difficult.

Cracking the Cryptic is increasingly popular with just short of 650,000 subscribers. They now have an on-line store where you can buy tee-shirts and mugs.
https://www.youtube.com/@CrackingTheCryptic/store
***
Does solving crosswords increase your cognitive abilities? A Guardian article from a few months ago was about 98 year-old Miriam Raphael, whose daily crossword solving keeps her young. You can read the article here.

Best wishes
Derek