Guardian

Many fun clues today, as you’d expect from Paul, and some interesting words. I found this much more difficult than a typical Paul crossword for some reason. Across 1. BANG UP PUG = … Read more >>

I found this a bit of a slog today, though admittedly that may be due to the work Christmas party I was at last night.  Aracuaria managed to work in a few little … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram A cleverly crafted puzzle with four film … Read more >>

It’s one of the occasional non-Rufus Mondays. This was harder than a typical Rufus, but mostly not too difficult. There’s a theme involving characters from the TV series M*A*S*H, who are collected up … Read more >>

Solving time: 37 mins, one mistake (9ac) This was enjoyable but I found it very difficult. There was a theme based on George Bernard Shaw’s Three Plays For Puritans, of which I was … Read more >>

I enjoyed this one – quite a few nice clues. (3 of my last 8 blog posts have been on Gordius puzzles, as it turns out…) Across 4. SADDEN ADD = “increase” in … Read more >>

I’ve had a run of Araucaria recently, and was hit by a pang of fear when I saw how many clues referred to 11ac today.  However, once that clue fell I relaxed as … Read more >>

A tour-de-force of linked clues and clever wordplay from Brendan that is exceptional even by his high standards. Unfortunately I’ve had to solve and blog this in rather a hurry before catching an … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram A delightful puzzle centred around GAME (answer … Read more >>

Starting the week off with Rufus. A typical enjoyable Rufus crossword with a high number of cryptic definitions. Across 8 SICK NOTE: anagram of TICKS ONE 9 LARVA: R in LAVA (burning issue) … Read more >>

Solving time: 14 mins, about half of which on 7dn (TOMATO PUREE) and 10ac (GROOM). I enjoyed this as much as any Guardian puzzle of recent times. The highlight is probably the remarkable … Read more >>

A rather mixed bag today, with one or two nice clues but also several doubtful double / cryptic definitions and a couple of unusual anagram indicators. Across !   SANDWICH COURSE: double / cryptic … Read more >>

At first I thought Crucible was a new setter, but I see he (?) has appeared a few times, most recently in September this year. Not surprisingly, Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot … Read more >>

A cracking effort from Araucaria, that left me scratching my head for most of my lunchtime today. There’s often debate about what sort of knowledge is acceptable to assume on the part of … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram After Enigmatist’s tough puzzle last week, this … Read more >>