Cyclops 666 – Polarised Referendum
Given that this is Cyclops #666, and it was published in the issue dated Friday 13th, I expected something a bit, well, ‘beastlier’…but, apart from several mentions of Trump and Boris (and one … Read more >>
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Independent 10,350 by Dalibor (Saturday Puzzle 14 Dec 2019)
I think this is my first Dalibor blog – an enjoyable puzzle, with a few topical references and interesting surface reads… …and a pangram, to boot! Those ‘cogs’ round the outer wheel of … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1411: All Aboard by Gaston
It seems that Gaston has lost a few pieces of his jigsaw in ALL ABOARD – maybe down the back of the sofa, or the dog ate them?… (There does seem to have … Read more >>
Cyclops 664 – Electioneering Prowess
Electioneering Prowess – that’s what it is all about, for the next few weeks… And the first clue/entry, 7A RECTUM, obviously sums up Cyclops’ feelings about politicians, and their choice of vocal organs. … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1407: Oliver by The Ace of Hearts
An educational (for me) solve from the Ace of Hearts this week…will OLIVER leave us asking for more?!… The preamble states that: “In OLIVER, four clues are normal and their answers are associated … Read more >>
Independent 10,320 by Serpent (Saturday Puzzle 9 Nov 2019)
Another Ssss-aturday Indy blog, another Ssss-erpent……and to follow last time’s perimetral-pangram, we have another suspicious looking perimeter… As a genetic – if not geographically domiciled – Yorkshireman, I particularly enjoyed the Boycott-ian surface … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 196 by Qaos
Unless I have missed something devious, this month’s Genius from Qaos seemed relatively gentle… The preamble states that: “Half the solutions must have a letter removed before entry in the grid (only valid … Read more >>
Cyclops 662 – Sweet-Talk the Commons
In theory, this should have been the last Cyclops before the B-word fright-mare of Halloween… …and there are a few references in clues and solutions – ‘remoaner’/BELLYACHER, ‘Dominic’ sticking his nose in, and … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1403: Arrival by Kcit
A relatively small 10×10 (or, effectively, 11×11 minus 1) grid for ARRIVAL from Kcit…who is arriving where?… The preamble states that: “The puzzle marks an ARRIVAL. From one answer to a normal clue … Read more >>
Independent 10,290 by Serpent (Saturday Puzzle 5 Oct 2019)
When the Serpent emerges from under a rock on a Saturday, will there be a venomous bite, or a death-rattle in the tail?… After the first pass through the Across clues I had … Read more >>
Cyclops 660 – Psycho Diplomacy
Cyclops is right on the zeitgeist button this fortnight… …with references to an ADDLED PARLIAMENT, the POTBOILER of a Brexit – which has been going on for an ETERNITY but has now become … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1399: They Are What They Are by Artix
A classic – and classical – EV from Artix… …with a lot of preamble, and a lot of white space between the clues. The preamble states that: “In THEY ARE WHAT THEY ARE, … Read more >>
Cyclops 658 – Dumbed-Down Accord
As we approach the season-ending finale of ‘Deal or No-Deal’, with BoJo as NoEd, Cyclops may or may not be channelling the zeitgeist here… During the recent HEATWAVE the CHERUB-ic Boris – ‘he … Read more >>
Independent 10,260 by Klingsor (Saturday Puzzle 31 Aug 2019)
Some fun and games in a nicely ‘accessible'(?) puzzle from Klingsor today… My favourite surface read was probably 20D – ‘Apple runs America, agreed?’ for RUSSET; closely followed by the RICH deep-FRIED diet … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1395: Differences by Dysart
This was nearly a DNF (did not finish) for me – in fact it still may be – and it was certainly an MSD (missed submission deadline), as I didn’t crack the final … Read more >>