Guardian

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite an easy puzzle with the conflict … Read more >>

Something of a surprise – but by no means an unpleasant one – to see Brendan on a Monday. Brendan’s puzzles often have a theme and, after my miserable failure with Fungie last … Read more >>

Solving time: 9 mins A very good puzzle from Taupi with a couple of superb anagrams at 1ac and 8dn. 14ac (CLEAN) caused me the most trouble, but overall I thought this wasn’t … Read more >>

Well, I’m not complaining about lack of humour today – nor that the puzzle was too easy! I found this quite a challenge, not least in the parsing, but very rewarding, thanks to … Read more >>

I’ve been a bit unkind about Rover in the past, and I was hoping to be proved wrong in this one, but unfortunately there are a few rather weak definitions and a bad … Read more >>

A themed puzzle with one clue still puzzling me (3D) Across 1 BLIXEN: BLIX (Dr Hans Blix of WMD fame) + EN (directions); Karen Blixen, author, 1885-1992 4 MIX-UPS: homophone for MICK SUPS … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Bonxie must be a war enthusiast, something … Read more >>

I’m afraid I’m under thesis deadline pressure this week, but my partner very kindly offered to write notes on this one, so I’m just reposting what she wrote… [Links to the puzzle as … Read more >>

Solving time: 70 mins, 4 wrong/missing (45dn, 52ac, 33dn, 1ac) After 5 minutes I had solved two clues so was quite pleased to get most of this cracked in an hour, especially since … Read more >>

A devilish theme from Araucaria today, and a puzzle of mixed difficulty, I found, with some rather obscure references. Key: * = anagram dd = double definition < = reverse Across 1. IRREMEDIABLE … Read more >>

Nothing too taxing or controversial here, I think, but the usual good value from Orlando, with some clever surfaces and a few smiles along the way. Across 1   ITHACA: C[irca] [about] in TABITHA … Read more >>

I found this puzzle tough, and didn’t finish it even with both of us working on it. I think that’s just due to a few things we’d never heard of, though. [Links to … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram I woke up extra early today (something … Read more >>

A well constructed puzzle but sadly not enough meat to keep one occupied for the whole bank holiday – good job I’d not yet tackled the Observer. Not much to say really, some … Read more >>