Posted by Gaufrid on 31st December 2009
It’s me again, sorry! Apologies for the late appearance of this analysis but the scheduled blogger resides on the other side of the pond and I wanted to give him time to get up.
Posted in FT | 6 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 31st December 2009
There were 364 puzzles (every day except Christmas Day) in the Indy (including IoS) in 2009. 23 setters appeared. The policy of using themes, Ninas, continued, maybe even intensified.
Posted in Independent | 3 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 31st December 2009
A clever New Year’s Eve puzzle by Nimrod. Nmsindy solved the clues in 39 mins, then spent another 30 mins trying to puzzle out the unclued ones before surrendering and going to the website – all became clear.
Posted in Independent | 14 Comments »
Posted by Andrew on 31st December 2009
A fine end to the Guardian Crossword year with this tricky, clever and amusing puzzle from Paul. The “sums” in the first four across clues are particularly ingenious, but there’s lots more to enjoy. Happy New Year to Paul and all our readers.
Posted in Guardian | 41 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 31st December 2009
I found this a mixture of extremely easy clues and some quite tricky ones, solving time, 22 mins. A seasonal touch when 1 down and 11 down are looked at together.
Posted in Independent | No Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 31st December 2009
There were quite a few easy, or relatively easy, clues in this puzzle so I had 90% of the grid (excluding the perimeter) filled in very quickly. It was then time to look at the unclued thematic entries referred to in the preamble.
Posted in Enigmatic Variations | 1 Comment »
Posted by Gaufrid on 30th December 2009
There had to be at least one no-show over the festive period! He missed a very good puzzle.
Posted in Guardian | 52 Comments »
Posted by Ali on 30th December 2009
A lovely way to round off my 2009 blogging. Dac’s puzzles are always a pleasure, never a chore. Long may he continue.
Posted in Independent | 5 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 30th December 2009
A themed puzzle in which we were told that all asterisked clues had something in common. As it turned out, none of these clues had a definition, only wordplay.
Posted in FT | 10 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 30th December 2009
Monday Prize Crossword on 21 December 2009 Dante returned to serve up another delightful collection of clues with slick and smooth surfaces that only he can deliver with consistency and aplomb
Posted in FT | 2 Comments »
Posted by Pete Maclean on 30th December 2009
Posted in FT | 4 Comments »
Posted by Simon Harris on 29th December 2009
I think this is me all up-to-date with Beelzebub now, as the closing date for this one was put back to the 29th, no doubt for seasonal reasons. No obvious Christmas themes in the puzzle that I can see – Beelzebub remains a welcome escape from the more tiresome aspects of modern life! Wordplay at 8dn and 22dn could use some confirmation.
Posted in Beelzebub | 2 Comments »
Posted by C G Rishikesh on 29th December 2009
A none-too-easy puzzle. I had a slow start but managed to complete it. Among the last to go in were 4ac, 29ac, 1dn and 14dn. The very last was 30ac, which I understood only after looking up the dictionary.
Posted in FT | 9 Comments »
Posted by John on 29th December 2009
How lucky I am. Yesterday’s Anax took me absolutely ages, and that was with a paper copy in front of me, which always makes it a little easier. Preparing to do this online shortly after midnight I feared the worst, but in fact it was a mild and pleasant crossword from Glowworm themed around 1ac. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 9 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 29th December 2009
What a well-disguised theme which I did not unravel until I have practically solved all the clues. Once that unfolded, everything started to make sense. Very entertaining effort from Don.
Posted in Guardian | 38 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 28th December 2009
Very difficult puzzle, solving time 70 mins. Some excellent clues, some very intricate wordplay and a seasonal theme.
Posted in Independent | 16 Comments »
Posted by mhl on 28th December 2009
The usual excellent Monday crossword from Rufus – a few somewhat tricky clues, I thought, and lovely surface readings throughout. I hope everyone had an excellent Christmas. (I’m afraid I won’t be able to apply any corrections until much later today, due to travelling.)
Posted in Guardian | 19 Comments »
Posted by The Trafites on 27th December 2009
Lorraine: Took me a while to get going this week probably due to a hangover, but once I got started there was no stopping me. Thank you once again Mr. Everyman for an enjoyable crossword and the seasonal message at 13 & 16 across.
Posted in Everyman | 1 Comment »
Posted by Simon Harris on 25th December 2009
This one was tackled the East Coast Mainline, so with no access to aids. Sitting down to blog, I see that while I didn’t quite finish the puzzle, I did put in a pretty good showing, with around five answers in the SE corner left unsolved. Let’s hope the remainder make themselves known by the time I get to the end!
Posted in Beelzebub | No Comments »
Posted by beermagnet on 25th December 2009
This was surprisingly easy for a Prize Puzzle, especially as I was half-expecting a Christmas special, and Phi can produce some tough nuts when he wants to. But that’s not to say it wasn’t enjoyable as indeed are most puzzles by Phi. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 5 Comments »
Posted by Hihoba on 25th December 2009
As this is blog is due for publication on Christmas day, may we wish our readers a Happy Christmas and a successful Inquisitorial New Year!
Posted in Inquisitor | 6 Comments »
Posted by Simon Harris on 24th December 2009
Something of a seasonal treat for us today – a special, thematic Thursday Phi.
Posted in Independent | 11 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 24th December 2009
Some typical Araucaria fare today which resulted in quite a few ticks on my copy of the puzzle (1ac, 13ac, 3dn, 8dn and 15dn had the largest ones).
Posted in Guardian | 10 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 24th December 2009
Posted in Independent | 2 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 23rd December 2009
A puzzle which I found a mixture of very easy and quite difficult clues, solving time 30 mins. Great stuff as always from Dac.
Posted in Independent | 7 Comments »
