beermagnet – Page 28 – Fifteensquared

Independent 7208 by Scorpion (Sat 21-Nov 2009)

Fri November 27, 2009 at 6:00 am by beermagnet

I found this very hard, as we come to expect from Scorpion. After I had about 10 answers I came to a complete halt, totally stuck. Restarting the next day I made a … Read more >>

Private Eye/Cyclops 404 – Error: Not found

Mon November 23, 2009 at 12:15 am by beermagnet

That is, surface reading not found. After doing a lot of crosswords I tend to read clues for their cryptic meaning without noticing, or should I say savouring, the surface reading. An example … Read more >>

Private Eye/Cyclops 403 – Hate Figures

Mon November 9, 2009 at 12:15 am by beermagnet

What a cock-up – They repeated 402 in the magazine – Have they been taking on ex-Grauniad typesetters? So this crossword 403 was only available on the Eye’s website . I expect we … Read more >>

Indy 7184 by Tyrus (Sat 24 Oct)

Fri October 30, 2009 at 5:00 am by beermagnet

We haven’t seen Tyrus for a while. When we have it has been tough, as this one proved to be. I was pleased to get a good handful on the first pass over … Read more >>

Private Eye/Cyclops 402 – A Slow Buck

Mon October 26, 2009 at 12:15 am by beermagnet

One of those where most went in easily but I had to put myself to bed before a couple in the top left corner, so they had to wait till the next morning. … Read more >>

Private Eye/Cyclops 401 – John and Jimmy

Mon October 12, 2009 at 10:38 amMon October 12, 2009 at 12:15 am by beermagnet

Thomas and Riddle of course. Who else would inhabit an Eye crossword … Not Tom Riddle, that would be … frightening. Perhaps as frightening as … Cyclops himself <Ta Da!> who visited … Read more >>

Indy 7166 (Sat 3-Oct) Anax

Fri October 9, 2009 at 1:49 pmFri October 9, 2009 at 6:00 am by beermagnet

Another super offering from Anax. Though I think I have seen stiffer challenges from him in the past, this was most enjoyable with a fine mix of well-formed clues. Two or three I … Read more >>

Private Eye/Cyclops 400 – 16 years

Mon September 28, 2009 at 12:15 am by beermagnet

Number 400 Eh! We only get 26 issues of this esteemed organ each year – if we’re lucky – so I reckon that’s 16 years that Cyclops has been working at the sharp … Read more >>

Private Eye/Cyclops 399 – Neutered ancestor?

Mon September 14, 2009 at 12:15 am by beermagnet

Am I alone in finding this not too hard this time? I was getting a bit worried as my subscription copy did not arrive till Friday – which is at least a day … Read more >>

Independent 7142 (Sat 5 Sep) Bannsider

Fri September 11, 2009 at 5:00 am by beermagnet

I’m looking very hard but I can’t see a Nina in this one (I completely failed to see the Nina in last Saturday’s). Nevertheless, a pretty tough puzzle which is what we expect … Read more >>

Private Eye/Cyclops 398 – Blown away

Mon August 31, 2009 at 8:49 amMon August 31, 2009 at 12:15 am by beermagnet

Trouble with overconfidently putting in a couple of answers this time caused hold-ups but nothing that couldn’t be sorted out in the same solving session. Across 8 PRITHEE (HI PETER)* AInd: outed 9 … Read more >>

Private Eye/Cyclops 397 – Bless you

Mon August 17, 2009 at 12:20 am by beermagnet

Lots of anagrams this time with one interesting reverse anagram. That probably contributed to the feeling that nothing that was particularly difficult. I suspect I would have recorded a fast solve time if … Read more >>

Independent 7112 by Trees (Sat 1 Aug)

Fri August 7, 2009 at 7:40 pmThu August 6, 2009 at 11:00 pm by beermagnet

Trees. That’s a new compiler I thought. Then forgot that as I stared at the clues for an immensely long time looking for inspiration. I wasn’t sure of any answers on the first … Read more >>

Private Eye/Cyclops 396 – Second Homes Kid

Mon August 3, 2009 at 12:15 am by beermagnet

A couple of topical answers to show the setting is reasonably up-to-date. From the moment it was announced I thought Antony Gormley’s 4th plinth effort was a nice idea, and he is one … Read more >>

Private Eye/Cyclops 395 – Iffy pong

Mon July 20, 2009 at 12:15 am by beermagnet

Good stuff from Mr C in this issue. Some tricky clues which I don’t think I could get without the crossing letters, but plenty pencilled in after a first pass to get going. … Read more >>