Independent

Something must have been right with the world this morning because I raced through this in a little over 20 minutes. The same thing happened with Nimrod’s recent Saturday puzzle, all of which … Read more >>

Special puzzle, because of 16 across. Thought it was going to be very difficult when I solved just one clue on first run through, but it became a bit easier after that. Solving … Read more >>

The usual excellent straightforward uncontroversial (I think) puzzle from Dac. Across 1 BA SIC 4 REP LI(CAT)E 9 I NEX(AC)T 10 IN SHORT — ref. Clare Short 11 FINE TWIST — obviously a … Read more >>

Re note below, thanks, Eimi, for confirming it is indeed nonsense and thats it’s a Indy début.   I’ve a theory about that too, but after one failed flyer will confine myself to saying … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def A fairly enjoyable crossword that was mostly straightforward, but had a couple of unusual words. Across 1 Debt: Bed< + t. Not sure the surface … Read more >>

Phi’s usual well-constructed puzzle which all stacks up. Ranged for me from very easy in places to quite tricky. Solving time, 19 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 7 BIRTHDAY H(ON)OURS … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. I must admit I’ve slowly become something of a fan of Nimrod’s work despite initially struggling with his style. This one seemed relatively easy overall, … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. A puzzle from a no doubt excellent setter whose style I’ve sadly never quite managed to get to grips with, and a somewhat distracted solve … Read more >>

A little tougher than usual from Quixote, I thought.   Solving time, 28 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 W EST B ENGAL   (wangle)*   est = established   B = British 8 L EARNER  L … Read more >>

A puzzle packed full of elegant, concise clues today. On the easier side definitely, but still very enjoyable. Across 1 BELLA – (Alexander Graham) BELL,A 4 REMARKING – RE: MARKING 9 CONTRIVED – … Read more >>

Initially I thought that Virgilius had referred so frequently to Roman numerals that this was in some way the theme, but perhaps it’s just that in the Across clues he’s fitted many numbers … Read more >>

Some very amusing clues from Morph today in a puzzle which was most enjoyable. I’m not sure I have fully understood two clues (13a and 19a) and would welcome any enlightenment that others … Read more >>

I made a rather slow start on this typically pleasant Phi crossword, but when I saw that it was all As in the top unches and Zs at the bottom things became easier. … Read more >>

A tricky challenge from Monk that took me a little while to solve.  The clues were fair and the surfaces were excellent, but some of the answers or definitions were fairly obscure – … Read more >>

An excellent puzzle from Nestor who I had the pleasure of meeting at Sloggers and Betters 5 in London last week. A bit easier than I expected – in particular I got some … Read more >>