Independent

There were some excellent clues in this, but I found it a little unbalanced in that I finished the across clues very quickly but was left with 6 down clues that I found … Read more >>

The usual pleasant offering from Phi, but one or two I can’t quite understand. Across 1 J UMP(ire). Expressing in the sense of throwing out. 3 DESPOTIC I’m pretty sure. Oppressive = despotic … Read more >>

This was the puzzle that almost never was. Due to be published on the 29th of December, it was nowhere to be found in the newspaper, much to the frustration of a number … Read more >>

This was terrible puzzle for me. The answers I have blogged are they only ones I have managed to get before deciding to submit the blog. Discussion of the missing answers will be … Read more >>

The usual pleasing fare from Quixote in the final IoS puzzle of the year. I found it fairly easy, solving time, 15 mins. Notes on some clues below, happy to explain others if … Read more >>

Across 1 (DID GO FOR)*,AY – an &lit and a reference to the GOOD FRIDAY Agreement but I see no anagram indicator… 6 [-n]OTIC[-e] 9 WARS,A,W,P,ACT – another &lit, and a good one … Read more >>

It’s New Year’s day, and it’s Virgilius. That means that his crossword must contain some wonderful Nina, especially as the grid is a bit odd. But I can’t see it. (Note from Neildubya: … Read more >>

Another very interesting year at the Indy as the new editor, Eimi, who took over early in 2006, puts his mark on the paper. The main features are a continued move towards themed … Read more >>

Very tough puzzle to finish the year. There is a theme, which I’ll give after the clue explanations in case anyone wants to have another look at the grid. I found it after … Read more >>

There are comments on this following the blog of Dac 6614 (Fri 28 12 2007)

Considering some of the tough and thematic puzzles this week this was a nice easy end to the week with no themes or hidden messages (famous last words!) It was the usual high … Read more >>

The easiest puzzle I’ve solved by this usually difficult setter. A few people here have mentioned that they’ve often found many of Scorpion’s clues to be a bit contrived but I don’t think … Read more >>

A very difficult puzzle, which I was not able to finish – clues I struggled with listed in full below – any help provided would be much appreciated. The theme is “The Scottish … Read more >>

A special Christmas offering from Quixote, the main theme being the use of a well-known Christmas item in its role as an anagram indicator. Once seen, solving was very fast. Solving time: 14 … Read more >>

Across 7 I POD [with the I “put back”] UM 8 CHESTNUT. 8 Down is “Christmas tree”, but unless I don’t know about Christmas trees in various parts of the world, the connection … Read more >>