Independent – Page 262 – Fifteensquared

Independent 9,160 by Hieroglyph

Tue February 23, 2016 at 10:49 am by John

Rather hard today, but I suppose it is Tuesday and we have to be prepared for this. Plenty of good clues here, which often didn’t yield initially but afterwards were obvious enough. From time to time Hieroglyph requires us to split one word into two, something that not everyone is happy with and not something one often sees in the Indy. I have no objection to it myself, but it would be nice to know that it either is or isn’t standard practice at the Indy.

Definitions underlined and in chocolate today. Which at the moment (before publication) looks like bright orange. I’ve never eaten chocolate of that colour.

Independent 9159 by Alchemi

Mon February 22, 2016 at 9:00 am by NealH

I found this to be challenging for a Monday with a mixture of easy and tricky clues. I had a couple of minor quibbles but it was mainly sound with some occasionally complicated … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1,356 by Hoskins

Sun February 21, 2016 at 4:14 pmSun February 21, 2016 at 12:00 am by PeeDee

A good straightforward puzzle. Thank you Hoskins.

Independent 9152 by Klingsor (Saturday Prize Puzzle 13 February 2016)

Sat February 20, 2016 at 8:09 amSat February 20, 2016 at 12:02 am by mc_rapper67

An enjoyable and diverting puzzle from Klingsor this week – no fancy theme or Nina, as far as I can see anyway! Some nice clue surfaces and a wide variety of clueing devices … Read more >>

Independent 9,157 / Phi

Fri February 19, 2016 at 8:00 am by RatkojaRiku

After the recent announcement about the Indy’s exclusively online future, it is hard to know what future lies in store for its crosswords. I for one have my fingers and toes crossed that … Read more >>

Independent 9156 / Tees

Thu February 18, 2016 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

I always find Tees’ puzzles a challenge, but an entertaining challenge. The allusions in Tees’ clues tend to focus on topics that don’t play to any strengths I may have. … Read more >>

Independent 9,155 by Dac

Wed February 17, 2016 at 12:52 pmWed February 17, 2016 at 10:17 am by John

As usual from Dac. I think this was on the easy side — I didn’t time myself but had no problems and by my standards sailed through it. Which isn’t to denigrate it: it’s well up to the level we have come to expect from this setter.

Definitions underlined and in SaddleBrown today. As usual I had to make amendments so 15ac and 22dn aren’t quite the right colour.

Independent 9154 / Crosophile

Tue February 16, 2016 at 9:54 pmTue February 16, 2016 at 7:56 am by Bertandjoyce

We enjoyed this Crosophile puzzle – some very neat clues and nothing too tricky, despite one or two rather unusual words. There’s a hopeful niña across the top and bottom of the grid, … Read more >>

Independent 9153/Radian

Mon February 15, 2016 at 7:30 am by Pierre

Given the news at the weekend about the Independent no longer appearing in print form, this will be my second to last blog of the puzzle in the paper. Just hoping that all … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1,355 by Raich

Sun February 14, 2016 at 1:00 am by Simon Harding

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 >>

Indy Cryptics & Inquisitor Petition

Sat February 27, 2016 at 11:02 amSat February 13, 2016 at 4:52 pm by Admin

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 >>

Independent Saturday Prize Puzzle 9146 / Hob (6th Feb 2016)

Sun February 14, 2016 at 12:29 pmSat February 13, 2016 at 12:09 am by Bertandjoyce

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 >>

Independent 9151 / Phi

Fri February 12, 2016 at 9:28 amFri February 12, 2016 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

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 >>

Independent 9,150 by Monk

Thu February 11, 2016 at 10:37 am by John

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).

Independent 9149 / Dac

Wed February 10, 2016 at 8:01 am by Bertandjoyce

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 >>