A personal take on the best dozen Times crossword clues from the last 5 years
Part of a -part series of blogs

In addition to computer training, Andy Brown is also an addict of the Times Crossword. In this blog Andy takes a break from blogging on software to list his 12 favourites clues from the last 5 years of puzzles.

  1. 12 best Times Cryptic Crossword clues of the last 5 years?
  2. 12th position (from puzzle number 26670)
  3. 11th position (from puzzle number 26345)
  4. 10th position (from Sunday Times puzzle 4698)
  5. 9th position (from puzzle number 26796)
  6. 8th position (from Jumbo crossword puzzle number 1171)
  7. 7th position (from puzzle 25442)
  8. 6th position (from puzzle 26322)
  9. 5th position (from puzzle number 26111)
  10. 4th position (from puzzle number 26734)
  11. 3rd position (from Sunday Times puzzle 4687)
  12. 2nd position (from Sunday Times puzzle 4659) (this blog)
  13. In 1st position (from puzzle 25482)

Posted by Andy Brown on 11 December 2017

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2nd position (from Sunday Times puzzle 4659)

In second position in my list, this anagram:

Before income tax, this is what police heard about (11, 4)

To understand this clue, you'll need to know the Monopoly board:

Whitechapel Road

What comes before Income Tax? Whitechapel Road, of course.

 

It turns out that WHAT POLICE HEARD, when mixed "about", gives WHITECHAPEL ROAD, the answer. 

Although it's not number one on my list, this is probably the most perfect clue, and I take my hat off to the setter.

For another clue which requires inside knowledge, try this one from puzzle 25642:

Where one can find a portcullis going up quietly? (5)

The answer, PIANO, is the musical term for quietly, but is also ON A 1P backwards (or upwards, if a down clue).  Still confused?  Have a look:

One penny piece

A one-penny coin, with portcullis.

 
  1. 12 best Times Cryptic Crossword clues of the last 5 years?
  2. 12th position (from puzzle number 26670)
  3. 11th position (from puzzle number 26345)
  4. 10th position (from Sunday Times puzzle 4698)
  5. 9th position (from puzzle number 26796)
  6. 8th position (from Jumbo crossword puzzle number 1171)
  7. 7th position (from puzzle 25442)
  8. 6th position (from puzzle 26322)
  9. 5th position (from puzzle number 26111)
  10. 4th position (from puzzle number 26734)
  11. 3rd position (from Sunday Times puzzle 4687)
  12. 2nd position (from Sunday Times puzzle 4659) (this blog)
  13. In 1st position (from puzzle 25482)
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