Posted by Gaufrid on 31st August 2010
I heard a short while ago that Agentzero cannot make it today so here is the clue analysis. There is only limited commentary because I am very pressed for time as I have to go out shortly. Help required with 4dn and there may be a better explanation for 11ac and 15dn.
Posted in FT | 5 Comments »
Posted by Simon Harris on 31st August 2010
I’m a big fan of Radian’s puzzles, so was happy to see the name come up today. This was an enjoyable challenge, themed around 1ac.
Posted in Independent | 18 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 31st August 2010
Hurray! On the trot, I get to blog Paul, indeed a master craftsman who did not disappoint with his unique brand of teasing and tantalising clues, ranging from the obvious to the obscure; but all very solvable though challenging in places. Very enjoyable indeed.
Posted in Guardian | 38 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 30th August 2010
An excellent puzzle from Mordred.
It is themed on the TV sitcom Last of the Summer Wine (hereinafter LSW) which, after a record-breaking 37 years is coming to an end with the last episode shown yesterday, Sunday 29 August. With that long record, it’s clearly a really popular and successful show.
Posted in Independent | 14 Comments »
Posted by Stella on 30th August 2010
This puzzle was on the easy side for Quiptics, with some clever surfaces and a few smiles.
Posted in Guardian Quiptic | 20 Comments »
Posted by Eileen on 30th August 2010
A pleasant Bank Holiday diversion from Rufus, after Saturday’s tour-de-force from Araucaria, with several smiles along the way. Thank you, Rufus, and a happy holiday, everyone!
Posted in Guardian | 58 Comments »
Posted by beermagnet on 30th August 2010
Half-way through solving this I thought I was on for a record time – covering half the grid in a very few minutes. Then I slowed and then got interrupted by Real Life. Coming back to it a few hours later I finished it off with not much trouble except for 1/23 CROSSWORD SETTER which took far too long and especially the final 17D BESMEAR.
Posted in Private Eye/Cyclops | 6 Comments »
Posted by Handel on 29th August 2010
Morning all. An impressive grid this week with no fewer than eight 15-letter answers. These long answers were mostly presented as anagrams, and unpicking them all took some time. Our pick of the clues this week, though, goes to 19ac – a pleasing &lit.
Posted in Independent | 4 Comments »
Posted by bridgesong on 29th August 2010
I managed to solve about three-quarters of this puzzle without any assistance from Chambers or the internet. It’s surprising what being on holiday in remote places can do for the brain. However, I made somewhat heavy weather of the remainder on my return home. Fewer anagrams than usual, I thought, but with a couple of easy hidden clues to help get one started. As is often the case, it’s the shortest words that can be the hardest to solve. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Azed | 16 Comments »
Posted by Arthur on 29th August 2010
Not my favourite one ever. Far too many anagrams (just under half of all the clues contained anagrams) and some obscure knowledge – I don’t think I have ever used the phrase at 9/10dn nor has anyone ever said it to me, and I only got the composer at 16dn due to the fact it was a “hidden in” type clue so the word was in the clue. But a couple of nice misdirections too, 15ac and 25ac being my favourites. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Everyman | 12 Comments »
Posted by rightback on 28th August 2010
Solving time: 8 mins
I found this the most enjoyable Araucaria I’ve done for a good while. The surface readings almost all made good sense and the cryptic indications were much more accurate and less padded out that usual. As so often, the two multi-word phrases might as well have been unclued as I left them at first and then built them up from the checking letters only, but at least their wordplays were accessible. My favourites were probably 13ac (EVIL) and 14ac (ORPHANAGES) but there were few I didn’t like in this.
Posted in Guardian | 16 Comments »
Posted by petebiddlecombe on 28th August 2010
Solving time: About 38 minutes says my copy, but I think this includes an arbitrary penalty for running out of patience and looking up the posssibilities for 5D, which was a bit poor on my part. Overall I thought it was a bit easier than the previous Saturday’s Anax puzzle, but only a bit. The fairly black outer edge had me watching out for some theme or a message in the grid, but I didn’t spot anything, which may be a cue for an egg on face moment.
Posted in Independent | 12 Comments »
Posted by Mister Sting on 28th August 2010
A smaller grid this week – only 121 blank squares, instead of the normal 169. Will this translate into a shorter solving time?
Posted in Enigmatic Variations | 2 Comments »
Posted by John on 27th August 2010
The usual excellent stuff from Phi. All the clues are neat (those that I can understand, anyway) and the whole thing is very satisfactory. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 9 Comments »
Posted by shuchi on 27th August 2010
It is befitting that we have a lovely Bradman puzzle to solve on Don Bradman‘s birthday. Many anagram clues today, some excellent ones like 27a and 17d.
Posted in FT | 5 Comments »
Posted by smiffy on 26th August 2010
Please excuse the later than usual post; a plumbing emergency kiboshed my morning routine. But now that an 18A has been successfully issued and implemented on the pipe in question, I got to belatedly enjoy one of Mudd’s rare weekday outings.
Posted in FT | 7 Comments »
Posted by flashling on 26th August 2010
My heart sank a bit when it was confirmed that it was Anax today after last Saturday’s offering. This is nowhere near that hard.
Posted in Independent | 27 Comments »
Posted by mhl on 26th August 2010
I’m afraid this a very rushed post for me today, and I haven’t figured out how 10a and 11a work – I’m sure the comments will clear those up, though…
Posted in Guardian | 49 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 26th August 2010
Monday Prize Crossword on 16 August 2010
Once again, Mr Smoothie is back to entertain us with his slick surfaces and glib clues.
Posted in FT | 3 Comments »
Posted by Pete Maclean on 26th August 2010
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 14
A fine Cincinnus this time with great anagrams in 24A (SVENGALI) and 5D (NOW THERE’S A THING), a dazzling cryptic definition in 13D (GOOD IN PARTS), and some good double definitions. I also like 10A (WELL-NIGH).
Posted in FT | 2 Comments »
Posted by Simon Harris on 25th August 2010
Pretty tough today, I thought, especially the lower half of the grid. There were several references to things that I had never heard of, but after a bit of light research, everything adds up of course.
Posted in Independent | 13 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 25th August 2010
The theme today seems to be an attempt to get into the grid as many words and phrases that are derived from French as possible. I have identified those that I know but I may have missed some so any additions would be welcome.
Posted in FT | 7 Comments »
Posted by Eileen on 25th August 2010
There’s much to admire in this characteristically Puckish puzzle, which I found great fun and very enjoyable – a nice variety of clue types and some excellent surfaces: it would have been sycophantic to highlight them all! Many thanks, Puck.
Posted in Guardian | 75 Comments »
Posted by Hihoba on 25th August 2010
We were aked to identify a quotation round the perimeter which denied the existence of three unclued entries. Its source was indicated in the grid – clearly involving the barred off central square.
Posted in Inquisitor | 4 Comments »
