Independent 8,930 by Phi

The usual excellent production from Phi. My own stupidity resulted in lack of completion — I was looking for ages at 1dn — and in particular Phi has done two things of which I approve: although there are unches all round the edges he never has less than 50% checking, something that the grid makes a bit tricky; and in 12ac he has given us some wordplay. Many setters would have been quite happy with ‘Supporters of bridges’ as a cryptic definition, but not Phi, who gives us two ways into the solution, realising that there is nothing to stop you from having a clever and witty definition in a ‘straight’ clue.

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Independent 8926 by Alchemi

A very entertaining and enjoyable puzzle which was accessible but certainly no gimme. There were some excellent clues (10 and 11 were both quite inventive). 27 was really the only clue that required … Read more >>

Independent 8,921 by Anax

Anax usually appears on Saturdays in the Independent, or so it seems, but he has put in a welcome weekday appearance today. This is the usual excellent production (I would say that wouldn’t I, since he may well be at the S&B later today; but of course it’s true). It wasn’t at all easy, but Anax seldom is; I think I’ve just about understood everything, but there are one or two slightly dodgy parsings which I trust will be explained properly by someone.

Definitions underlined.

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Independent on Sunday 1,316 by Hypnos

A good and very enjoyable Sunday puzzle that I found trickier than usual.  I think that the general level of difficulty of the IoS has gone up over the time I have been blogging it.  I wonder if this is editorial policy or just random variation?  Possibly just a natural decline in my faculties.

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