Guardian 25115 – Crucible, A Severe Test
I have always thought crucible is a container used in the science laboratory and the name of a famous venue for snookers in Sheffield, Yorkshire. This morning, I looked up Chambers which told … Read more >>
Guardian
Guardian Quiptic 565 by Nutmeg
Mostly straightforward, with a few less usual definitions, and a couple of more elaborate wordplays Across 1 BEEF UP Reversal (‘setback’) of FEE (“what’s earned’) in PUB (‘bar’). 5 AUBRETIA Charade of AUBRE[y] … Read more >>
Guardian 25,114 – Rufus
I found this a bit harder to finish than the average Rufus, though looking back there’s nothing particularly difficult about it. There are fewer cryptic definitions than usual; generally lot of nice, if … Read more >>
Guardian 25,107 (Sat 4 Sep)/Shed
Very short on time so a rapid blog this week – apologies for the brevity. Solving time not taken as I used a dictionary and also interspersed solving with blogging to get the … Read more >>
Guardian 25,112 / Gordius
Pretty straightforward fare from Gordius, with just one or two quibbles, as usual with this setter. There is one explanation that eludes me: I’m ready to kick myself when enlightened! Across 8 ALBERICH: … Read more >>
Guardian 25,111 – Araucaria
My second Araucaria in a row, and quite a tricky one, with some devious wordplay. Some may complain at the theme of girl groups, but I knew all the names involved (apart from … Read more >>
Guardian 25,110 – Arachne
Found this pretty slow going. 13, 29 and the last part of 7 were unfamiliar but guessable, whereas 15dn went in almost immediately. Across 1 HOODING =the use of a hood in torture. … Read more >>
Guardian 25109 – Puck the Magic Dragon
What a delightful puzzle from Puck with a mini-theme of certain Internet-related terms here and there. The devices employed are multi-various and many would raise a snigger or even a guffaw. Most entertaining. … Read more >>
Guardian 25108 / Rufus
As usual, a gentle but enjoyable start to the week from Rufus. I found the last two long down clues the only tougher bits here. For once I managed to resist putting in … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 564 / Rover
The third Monday of Fifteensquared’s coverage of the Quiptic, with two super blogs already from Gaufrid and Stella. No pressure, then … Before his death earlier this year, Rover was a regular setter … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 86 – Enigmatist: Me, me, me
The special instructions were quite clear, but it took a few readings, and a few answers, beofre I fully got the sense of them. Apart from that, this puzzle turned out less daunting … Read more >>
Guardian 25,101 (Sat 28 Aug)/Araucaria (Bank Holiday Jumbo) – Plateresque
Solving time: An hour before turning to references to fill in the blanks (54ac, 45dn) and correct the mistakes (21dn, 36dn); still unsure about 7dn. This was a tribute to the prolific English … Read more >>
Guardian 25,106 – Araucaria
A very enjoyable puzzle from Araucaria, with some interestingly linked clues. Luckily I was familiar with most of the literary and other references, and found it not too hard. There were a few … Read more >>
Guardian 25,105 / Chifonie
An enjoyable and relatively quick solve for us this morning, with only the southwest corner troubling us. ACROSS 1. O(P.E.)RATE 5. ASK AN C.E. 10. FE(R)N apparently a slough is a fen 11. … Read more >>
Guardian 25,104 / Brendan
A fine puzzle from Brendan – as usual, a pleasure to write a post about. Another crossword that I wish I’d had more time to savour… All of the down clues have a … Read more >>