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 >>
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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 >>
Cyclops 656 – Posh Schemer
I’m not sure if Cyclops is saying a not-too-fond ‘Farewell’ to TMay, or offering a Churchillian ‘Welcome’ to BoJo – or both – in this puzzle. Quite a few aggressive gestures – TWO-FINGER … Read more >>
Independent 10,230 by Hoskins (Saturday Puzzle 27 July 2019)
An entertaining puzzle from Hoskins, with some nice surface reads and some good timing (or judicious editing?) regarding comings-and-goings at No 10 this week… My first solving note was a capitalised ‘HARSH!’ next … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1391: Cary by The Ace of Hearts
I am familiar with ‘The Ace of Hearts’ from his(?) devious circular Listener puzzles, but a search of this site shows a few recent EVs and IQs, several of which I think I … Read more >>
Cyclops 654 – Born Leader – In Error
Cyclops taking his usual side-swipes at the establishment, with a spoonful of smuttery and cultural zeitgeist… The big ticket clue is a nice composite anagram, incorporating DISCOURAGEMENT into NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT – OK Harvey … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1387: Wonderful Ghoul by Kcit
I thought this was a ‘blinking’ hard puzzle from Kcit (aka Phi)…educational and challenging…just how I like ’em… The preamble states that: “Wordplay in eleven clues varies from the entered answer by one … Read more >>
Independent 10,200 by Klingsor (Saturday Puzzle 22 June 2019)
Two Saturday Klingsors in a row for me, after his ton-up Indy 10,170 five weeks ago… …and, as always, a pleasure to solve and blog, although no theme-ette or Nina this time, unless … Read more >>
Cyclops 652 – Bicycle Charlatan
I found this much harder than many recent Cyclops puzzles… …it took several passes and an educated guess at an unknown (to me) person at 23A before I got my LOI – BICYCLE … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1383: One Down by Ifor
Some tricky (and educational) stuff from Ifor this week, which kept me going right to the submission deadline… The preamble states that: “16 clues contain a thematic item as an extra word. The … Read more >>
Independent 10,170 by Klingsor (Saturday Puzzle 18 May 2019)
Apologies again for the late posting – an enjoyable (and significant?) puzzle from Klingsor today… I woke up a tad worse for wear this morning, after celebrating cycling coast-to-coast across Lancashire and Yorkshire … Read more >>
Cyclops 650 – Difficult Island
Some traditional establishment targets, some smutty references…it is a Cyclops, it does what it says on the tin… The surface readings at 8A and 11A don’t bear too much thinking, and 10A is … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 190 by Puck
There is usually a reason why we get a month or so to solve a Genius, but I managed to get onto Puck’s wavelength and completed this in ‘double’-quick time, as I waited … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1379: Scarcity by Cagey
This was a pretty tough workout from Cagey, who seems to be a new name (or amalgam?) on the block… The (rather long and complicated) preamble states that: “ In SCARCITY, the wordplay … Read more >>