 The pseudonym Azed is a reversal of (Fray Diego de) Deza, a Spanish inquisitor general.This combines the inquisitorial tradition of Torquemada and Ximenes (the two previous composers of the "advanced" "Observer "crossword) with the wordplay element of a British cryptic crossword.It challenges its followers with a much higher proportion of obscure and archaic words and allusions to the Classics than would normally be considered acceptable in a modern blocked puzzle, thus providing an extra aspect of difficulty for the seasoned cryptic solver.