Last time around Hoskins was well oiled, a much more sober affair today.
Year: 2017
Everyman 3,667
I said in my last scheduled Everyman blog that it can be difficult to find something to write about in the preamble and I’m having the same problem today. This solve was one of those … Read more >>
AZED 2,328
The usual Azed. All pretty sound so far as I can see. You really need to have Chambers by your side; it would be an endless task for me to explain everything everywhere.
As always the definitions are underlined and in maroon.
Independent on Sunday 1405/Alchemi
I found this tough going for an IoS puzzle, in fact tough going, full stop. It’s all fair (although there’s one I can’t parse). When I was writing up the … Read more >>
Independent 9452 by Klingsor (Saturday Puzzle 28 January 2017)
A nice solid cryptic offering from Klingsor here – with some interesting surface readings and mis-directions… No obvious theme or nina that I could see. There seems to be a higher than ‘average’ number … Read more >>
Inquisitor Review of 2016 – The Results
Whodunnit?
Take away the “Where’s my prize?” and “No i at the newsagent’s today, please would you send IQ” emails from my inbox, and there are still a significant number of correspondents bemoaning harsh difficulty levels. I find this quite hard to fathom, particular in the year just past.
Enigmatic Variations 1261 Frame by Ifor
A complex preamble to say the least. Two set s of clue amendments to produce two messages – extra letters to be removed from the clue and wordplay with an additional letter. Add … Read more >>
Guardian 27,100 / Paul
I think this was toughest prize puzzle we’ve done in a while, although that was partly due to putting in the wrong answer in 23 down (see below) – lovely clues, though, and … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,458 by ALBERICH
Relatively easier workout from Alberich this Friday. Thanks Alberich !!!
Independent 9451 / Phi
Well, another Phi-day and a relatively straightforward challenge today. However, with a few unusual words and several names in the grid, we couldn’t help thinking that there must be a theme. We … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27105 Nutmeg
Thanks to Nutmeg for an accessible end-of-the-week puzzle. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Sailor on ship outside Dover, say, with extremely elegant clothing (6,6) SPORTS JACKET : JACK(a sailor) placed … Read more >>
Independent 9,450 / Tees
It is a while since I have either solved or blogged a puzzle by Tees, so I found myself wondering quite what to expect. What I got was a puzzle with two highly … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,457 by GURNEY
A fairly easy one this morning…
Guardian Cryptic 27,104 by Tramp
As of the time of writing, the interactive version of this puzzle has gone AWOL; the PDF version may be found at https://crosswords-static.guim.co.uk/gdn.cryptic.20170126.pdf.
Financial Times 15,448 – Falcon
Monday Prize Crossword / Jan 16, 2017
Another friendly start of the week with many ‘cultural’ references, just like in the good old Everyman days.