Guardian

There’s frequently something special about Brendan’s crosswords and this one is no exception: every clue’s construction is of the form where a single letter is included in another word to give the definition. … Read more >>

Solving time: 12:05 The seven answers clued without definition were all types of film: biopic, blaxploitation, horror, blue, western, feature and noir. Once this was cracked I thought this puzzle was probably on … Read more >>

Pressure of work has meant that this blog has been written in rather a rush, so apologies for any errors or typos. This seemed quite tough, but with Pasquale’s usual combination of fairness, … Read more >>

My heart sank somewhat, initially, when I saw a preamble to an Orlando, who can usually be relied on to be straightforward, but soon all became clear as the names of the 60’s … Read more >>

For an Araucaria puzzle, I thought this wasn’t too difficult. Figuring out his wordplay is always excellent fun, and I always learn a few new things. There’s a mini theme of “refusals” in … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite a benign day really with all … Read more >>

A lot of cryptic definitions today, but nothing too fiendish. Across 1. ADMINISTRATES. DISTANTARMIES* 10. CRIME WAVE. cryptic def. 11. MOVER. MOVE + (ap)R(il). 12. OUTRÉ. Centre spread could be (sp)RE(ad) + OUT, … Read more >>

Solving time: 15:50 Perhaps one of Araucaria’s easier puzzles, although the last couple of clues, HATCHERIES and DARNLEY, stumped me for a good while. I thought 9ac (SOPRANO) was the best clue. Music … Read more >>

As often with Araucaria, I’m still a little puzzled but thoroughly entertained. Across 9 ALBATROSS There’s a lake ALO in Nigeria, and SS presumably comes from “southern sea”, but I can’t get the … Read more >>

I made very heavy weather of this, although I’m not sure why, apart from picking the wrong letters as anagram fodder over and over again 🙂 Across 1. SCHOOLMASTER Cryptic definition 8. NEWPORT NEW … Read more >>

I found it quite challenging today, but that may be a reflection on my own circumstances having started a new job! Managed it all in the end, although 22dn and 5ac felt a … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Another delightful day when Dr G and … Read more >>

It’s Monday, it’s Rufus, you know what to expect. Perhaps even more of his characteristic cryptic definitions than usual, but most of them are good fun. In any case, if I did have … Read more >>

Solving time: 8:54 A very enjoyable puzzle from Paul with no theme that I could see but a marvellous new word for me at 12dn. Music of the day: the magnificent 5dn, Dies … Read more >>