A mixed bag of difficulty here.
Independent 10,451 by Tyrus
I find I am repeating myself – this one was tough. It took me at least three separate solving sessions and I gave up timing how long – it was well over 2 … Read more >>
beermagnet
Private Eye (Cyclops/672) Upfront Whopper
A much more accessible puzzle this time. Nothing here to trouble us much. Almost a record solve with only 3 left to do after the first pass and they were scattered around so … Read more >>
Independent 10421 by Tyrus (Sat 7-Mar 2020)
This one was very tough. I seem to be saying this more and more – maybe it’s me and not so much the puzzles. As ever I’m very happy to tackle a Tyrus … Read more >>
Private Eye ( Cyclops/670 ) Continental Deterrent
A tougher crossword this time – least ways that’s the way I found it. It has some top-notch clues and it was worth re-reading them to do this blog. When I started solving … Read more >>
Independent 10,391 by Dalibor (Sat 01-Feb 2020)
I found this pretty tough. Maybe Dalibor’s puzzles are getting tougher. His clueing is as sound as ever and clue surfaces continue to tell stories in little vignettes. I see from my notes … Read more >>
Independent 10361 by Tyrus (Sat 28-Dec 2019)
Very tricky stuff from Tyrus today. It is no secret that it has a theme – the answer to 23D/8 is referenced in many clues and forms the definition for several. I could … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops/665) Offensive Utterance
One of those Eye puzzles that I found difficult to finish despite getting most of it early on. In my notes I marked 16 as solved on first reading. 1d was a lovely … Read more >>
Independent 10332 by Monk (Sat 23-Nov 2019)
What a pleasure solving a Monk puzzle is. There are always some great clues and interesting wordplay to tease out. However it was quite hard. Hard to finish. I got about a dozen … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops /663) Outlook: Rancid
A reasonably swift solve for this Eye puzzle I nearly managed my first ever “complete on first pass” but it was not to be. ( I define the end of the first pass … Read more >>
Independent 10,302 by Dalibor (Sat 19-October)
Dalibor first came to my attention from the crosswords produced for crossword meets over the last few years – many of them thankfully available from links from this site (hopefully some appearing in … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops/661) Apeman Politics
This one took somewhat longer than usual but I think that was just me having an off day. Less than half done after an uncharacteristically long 30 minute first pass. It didn’t start … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops/659) Unhealthy Obsession
This was about medium difficulty for an Eye puzzle. I had about half done by the end of the first pass at about the 25 min mark, but had queered the top right … Read more >>
Independent 10,272 by Radian (Sat 14-Sep 2019)
A relatively easy puzzle for a Saturday. None the worse for that of course, with plenty to enjoy throughout the solid clues. There is a “Last Night of the Proms” theme with “Rule … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops/657) Immoral Minister
We are in very strange times being ruled by an unelected buffoon, so the clue to 20/6 will pin this puzzle to a very narrow time window, hopefully. Solving went steadily with about … Read more >>