Independent

A satisfying and well-worked crossword although there are a couple I’m looking for further explanation on. Very unusually for me I spotted a nina in the unchecked letters on the middle column and … Read more >>

A little trickier this week, with some elaborate wordplay. Solving time: 30 mins Quixote’s puzzles are very accessible. As they appear in a weekend edition with a week to work it out, they … Read more >>

The theme of this puzzle was football teams (indicated by “side” in definitions) or, more particularly, the names that appear as parts of names of teams. e.g. United, City, Athletic. However, there was … Read more >>

An entertaining challenge from Dac which had the right mix of clues to keep you on your toes. However, I do have one query and two small questions (19 and 21 across and … Read more >>

Another excellent themed puzzle by Virgilius – four colours with in many cases linked clues. Solving time: 16 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 ROSE BUSH Very good 5 JAFFA First letters 10/11/12 … Read more >>

I thought this was tough in places but lots of fun, with the sort of pop culture theme we only see in the Independent crossword. Not sure about 8D though so suggestions welcome. … Read more >>

Solving time 22:05 I found this very tough, and was grateful for spotting the Nina – palindromes in the unchecked letters on each edge of the grid – DEIFIED, REPAPER, ROTATOR and REVIVER. … Read more >>

This one was unusually tough for me, though perhaps that’s to be expected on a Friday and from Nimrod. I felt a little short-changed at only having 22 clues, though at least that … Read more >>

Some seamless joins between definition and wordplay which misled at first. Solving time: 22 mins * = anagram ACROSS 6 PE DAN TIC 9 WI NONA West Indies and anon = soon reversed. … Read more >>

I have less time on a Thursday for crosswords and blogging than on other weekdays and I was mildly concerned to see Bannsider’s name at the top today as I’ve found him among … Read more >>

The usual top quality puzzle from this Indy setter with a weekly slot. Solving time: 15 mins ACROSS 1 DO YOU MIND Brilliant stuff 13 MA NANA Refers to 22 = Granada i.e. … Read more >>

I found this very easy – one of my rare sub-10 minute solves I think – but that’s not really the point as there’s a very clever piece of grid wizardry going on … Read more >>

Lots of references in this, but I found it fairly straightforward, with no major problems. Enjoyable puzzle.  (Thanks, Peter, for  pointing out below that some of the names are the real names of … Read more >>

Another corker from Nestor, with lots of clever and original stuff going on. Across 5 G,LIT,ZY 11 (st)AR,GUE(st) – very nice surface reading for this one. 12 (TO A DUNCE)* – the first … Read more >>

The usual flawless puzzle from Phi Solving time: 12 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 S TRIPPER Excellent use of 2 meanings of “peel” 6 FO UR of “backing” RU Rugby Union = … Read more >>