Never knowingly undersolved
A characteristically accessible yet enjoyable puzzle, as we’ve come to expect from Raich, perfectly paced for the IoS. I learned a few bits and bobs too, which is nice. Favourite clue was perhaps … Read more >>
Dave Tilley has started a petition to try to ensure that the Indy cryptic puzzles and the Inquisitor (and I would add Beelzebub) continue to be available after the Independent paper version is … Read more >>
It’s been nearly a year since we last blogged a Hob puzzle, so we were really looking forward to a treat. Unfortunately, we were initially somewhat disappointed by the seemingly ‘normal’ puzzle. However, … Read more >>
This is a Phi puzzle with the usual ingredients. I have two or three indicators that usually tell me if there is a hidden theme in a crossword. Firstly I … Read more >>
Monk always offers up challenging crosswords and at the end there are always a few things which one is not sure about, but as usual you will I am sure come to the rescue and I shall see how my misgivings were not in fact justified. Actually this one was less devilish than some of his, so far as I could see.
Definitions underlined and this time in maroon (except for one of them, which I forgot; I had to insert the colour by hand later and couldn’t get it to match the others).
Another Wednesday and another excellent Dac puzzle. As always, smooth surfaces and straightforward clues. Not too difficult, but a great pleasure to solve and blog. We’re away from home this week with a … Read more >>
I think this may well be my first blog of a Vigo puzzle, although I have solved and enjoyed some of his/her previous submissions. For me, this was a medium-difficulty puzzle, with a … Read more >>
Another new setter to the Independent fold.
Possibly the most difficult Kairos I’ve ever blogged or solved. I know that I keep banging on about this, but within the crossword universe, the IoS is meant to be an ‘accessible’ puzzle, … Read more >>
It looks like we have another new setter today, or at least a quick search of Fifteensquared doesn’t suggest otherwise. In which case, welcome Anglio. I found this quite a challenge, and never … Read more >>
So many of these clues can be neatly and simply parsed that sometimes I feel as if I’m not doing the job properly. Some would say that I should be taking three lines to expound everything that’s happening, but I’m afraid I take the view that anyone who has got as far as reading this blog will have some ability at least to cope with the inclusions, synonyms, etc and if it can be explained simply then that is actually clearer.
Definitions underlined.
We were really excited by the prospect of a Donk puzzle today, but although we enjoyed the solve we had hoped for more of his ‘risqué’ clues which usually raise a smile in … Read more >>
Today saw my monthly blogging encounter with Dac. I found this one to be towards the easier end of the spectrum in terms of difficulty and made rather speedy progress through it. I … Read more >>
Eimi spends more time as editor of Independent crosswords during the week than he does as a compiler. He sometimes appears though on special occasions This crossword has a clear … Read more >>
A good, moderately challenging puzzle with some clues that required a bit of effort to parse. I liked 7 down for the neat double use of drink. 8 down could be considered quite … Read more >>