Independent

(For those that missed it, this is the completed grid of Independent 6582 by Virgilius. Thanks to Eimi for supplying the image)

Phi usually appears on Friday rather than today (Thursday).      Wondered if there was a date-specific reason for this, but cannot see a theme.    Quite an easy puzzle, I found.   Solving time, 15 mins … Read more >>

Tougher than usual, I thought. Solving time: 31 mins Notes on some clues below, happy to explain others if asked. ACROSS 6 A PLACE IN THE SUN “An opportunity for the high life? … Read more >>

As usual Dac’s clues are consistently excellent. Few stand out (except for 14D), but they are always sound and have clear good surfaces. It’s a bit like Mozart (although Dac might feel a … Read more >>

A couple of weeks ago I had an email from someone – let’s call him E – advising me to make sure I was blogging today’s puzzle. “How intriguing”, I thought at the … Read more >>

Across 9 Capo: Truman Capote (US writer) – TE (note from doh, re..) 10 Metalloidal: (made a lot ill)*. Tricky word. 13 Octopod: Initial letters running backwards. Also some & lit because the … Read more >>

Solving time : 35 minutes. As he does every week, Phi manages to produce a crossword that is full of clever stuff with which it’s apparently almost impossible to find fault. Across 1 MOP IS … Read more >>

I’d be interested to know how everyone else got on with this as I found it very easy – solved in just over 11 minutes, far and away my quickest ever time for … Read more >>

An easy puzzle to blog and fairly easy to solve as there are only 20 clues in the whole puzzle, with just 8 being across clues – is this a record? I’m sure … Read more >>

I found this very easy indeed at first with all but 3 answers written in after only 9 mins. A little slower getting those last 3. Solving time: 14 mins Notes on some … Read more >>

This one will have to be quick, so here goes… Across 1 CAPACITY — P.A. in CA CITY — Ca = California. 10 MARINE BIOLOGIST — cryptic def. — main = ocean. 12 … Read more >>

Even when Virgilius produces a puzzle without a theme, he’s kind enough to tell you so – check out the diagonal from top left to bottom right. Across 4 S in MEMBER,HIP – … Read more >>

This puzzle typified the new direction the Indy puzzle is taking since Eimi became crossword editor. Themed, with a Nina (in case anyone wants to look again at the grid, I’ll give this … Read more >>

Cracking puzzle, with lots to get your teeth into. Across 1 ED in BECK – ED is Ed Balls, currently Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. “Flower” is not really a … Read more >>

I’ve written a blog for this but complete forgot to post it. Check back on Monday morning…