Never knowingly undersolved
An enjoyable trademark Hoskins puzzle. Thanks to Hoskins. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 The royal couple have loads of affairs (9) PHILANDER : [PHIL AND ER](the British royal couple, Prince … Read more >>
Ah, Klingsor. It’s been a while. I made fairly steady progress through this one. There were very few write-ins, though: each one required—and indeed rewarded—a bit of a think, which is always an … Read more >>
Phi’s latest teaser brings the latest set of mid-week puzzles to an end. I found this to be an enjoyable and not too taxing puzzle, although I needed to “cheat” by searching Chambers … Read more >>
A good example of a national daily cryptic puzzle from Serpent today I started quite strongly with the acrosses in the top half before slowing down. a bit. I found … Read more >>
An enjoyable crossword from Silvanus today. If I was being really picky I’d say that rather a lot of the clues require you to leave out bits of, or the majority of, words. But really this doesn’t matter. I can just about understand it all (except for 1ac) and so far as I’m concerned that’s what matters.
Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Sorry Knut – you have landed us again. Not that we’re complaining! You did however give us the run-around during the solve. It’s Tuesday and the setter is Knut so we were … Read more >>
A typically sparky puzzle from Vigo. None of the clues were too difficult.
A straightforward and not too difficult puzzle without it being bland or boring. Having blogged a lot of puzzles of all types over the years I am coming to appreciate how hard it is for a setter to get both of these elements right at the same time. Thank you Hypnos.
I’m struggling with this month’s Genius by this setter’s Guardian alter-ego – in fact I’ve got hardly anywhere with that. Thank goodness this puzzle wasn’t quite as tricky as that. It was pretty … Read more >>
Phi ends the working week as usual. I solved this fairly steadily with a little delay in the South East corner before I completed it. The grid looks message and … Read more >>
Excellent crossword from Morph today. It took me a long time, but that was because it was good and difficult, and the delay was almost entirely the result of my own incompetence. Where I have cast doubt on the setter I shall probably be shown to be wrong. There are lots of very nice clues here.
Definitions underlined in maroon and anagram indicators in italics.
Eccles occupies the mid-week slot this week. We found this a fairly straightforward solve with a good mix of relatively easy clues to get us started and a few rather more difficult … Read more >>
Radian has provided today’s puzzle, easing us into the working week after a weekend of indulgence, cruciverbal or otherwise. I found this to be a medium-difficulty puzzle that I solved in two sittings. … Read more >>
A fine holiday Monday offering from Tees, where I’m convinced that there is something going on, but I’m blowed if I know what it is. The grid gives a chance for a message … Read more >>
Vintage Hoskins, I would say. Pitched just right for a Sunday, with some trademark Hoskins irreverent moments and even a theme, of which more later. Apart from the North-West corner, which put up … Read more >>