Posted by petebiddlecombe on August 28th, 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.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 11 Comments »
Posted by Mister Sting on August 28th, 2010
A smaller grid this week – only 121 blank squares, instead of the normal 169. Will this translate into a shorter solving time?
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Enigmatic Variations | 2 Comments »
Posted by John on August 27th, 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 August 27th, 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.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 5 Comments »
Posted by manehi on August 27th, 2010
Some clever clues but pretty easy overall from Orlando today.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Guardian | 31 Comments »
Posted by smiffy on August 26th, 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.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 7 Comments »
Posted by flashling on August 26th, 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.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 27 Comments »
Posted by mhl on August 26th, 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…
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Guardian | 47 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on August 26th, 2010
Monday Prize Crossword on 16 August 2010
Once again, Mr Smoothie is back to entertain us with his slick surfaces and glib clues.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 3 Comments »
Posted by Pete Maclean on August 26th, 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).
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 1 Comment »
Posted by Simon Harris on August 25th, 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.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 13 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on August 25th, 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.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 7 Comments »
Posted by Eileen on August 25th, 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.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Guardian | 75 Comments »
Posted by Hihoba on August 25th, 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.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Inquisitor | 4 Comments »
Posted by Ali on August 24th, 2010
I was expecting a Virgilius after recent absences, so seeing Raich was a pleasant surprise. And a very pleasant puzzle it was too.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 26 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on August 24th, 2010
What a treat! For the second week running, I got to blog another master ( a reverential term of respect and admiration which really shouldn’t upset anyone). As expected, Paul served up many different and tricky devices to challenge and entertain us … and well, he did
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Guardian | 38 Comments »
Posted by Agentzero on August 24th, 2010
Nothing difficult here, but I admire how Armonie makes it all seem so effortless. As usual, the clues have excellent surfaces that read naturally. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 2 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on August 23rd, 2010
Welcome to the first Quiptic blog on Fifteensquared. Our intention is that clues for this puzzle series will be described in a little more detail than normal in the hope that this will be of benefit to newcomers to the world of cryptic puzzles.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Guardian Quiptic | 14 Comments »
Posted by Andrew on August 23rd, 2010
Very easy fare from Rufus today, but lots of his characteristically smooth surface readings. A nice gentle start to the week – thanks Rufus..
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Guardian | 32 Comments »
Posted by NealH on August 23rd, 2010
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 18 Comments »
Posted by jetdoc on August 22nd, 2010
A fairly straightforward Azed, with not too much tricky wordplay; quite a few words that needed confirmation from Chambers, though. I may have misunderstood the wordplay at 11a.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Azed | 11 Comments »
Posted by Handel on August 22nd, 2010
Morning all. An enjoyable selection of clues here, with nothing to whinge about as far as we can tell. Seven down is the pick of the bunch IOHOs, a good example of the lean style of cluing that Quixote is able to achieve.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 2 Comments »
Posted by The Trafites on August 22nd, 2010
Lorraine: Nothing to taxing this week, I got Milwaukee (15d) but needed Nick to work it out for me, also loved 25a it made me chuckle. Thanks Everyman for another enjoyable puzzle.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Everyman | 14 Comments »
Posted by Simon Harris on August 21st, 2010
The recent decision to move the prize puzzle blogs to the Saturday has spared my blushes somewhat, as in all honesty this post could not have happened without the “cheat” button. Well, it could, but you’d be solving the bottom half of the grid for me, as it was almost entirely empty after a week of staring at it.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 10 Comments »
Posted by Simon Harris on August 21st, 2010
I seemed to race through this one unaided, though almost inevitably not without a slip. At 15dn I substituted in an initial M, in the optimistic hope that MACE might mean “reprimand” somehow.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Beelzebub | No Comments »