I set today's @Independent #CrypticCrossword: https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent?puzzleDate=20230228#!202302 (select Feb 28th) Don't be afraid, give it a go.
Sometimes there's a theme, either i. in* the clues, ii. in* the answers, iii. a mix of both, or iv. between the answers.
*(...some of)
^(bit late, but..)
Sample clue:
One conservative on blow is concerned with matters of taste (9)
No spoilers here, thx.
@TheVoidTLMB Wow, I can solve some difficult Dutch crypto puzzles.. but of this English one I understood absolutely nothing. 👀
@trinsec Brit cryptics take a bit of getting used to. :-) This blog explains the clues https://www.fifteensquared.net/2023/02/28/independent-11351/ if you like. Thx for looking!
@TheVoidTLMB
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This... is totally different from the kind of crypto I'm used to. There are so many unwritten rules (well, actually written, as they were explained right there in the link you just gave)... but.. damn, that's so unbelievably farfetched for so many of those.
I don't think I like British crypto puzzles, heh.
@trinsec Fair enough. It can seem impenetrable at first, I know. :-) Although now I'm curious as to what Dutch cryptics are like...
#Cryptic #crossword clue formats:
A [Cryptic definition]
or
B [Def1]+[Def2]
or
C [Wordplay]+[Def] (or vice-versa)
C is commonest