Guardian

I almost forgot I had to do this today, subsequently I had to solve it over lunch which added a bit more pressure than normal!  I consequently can’t be too objective about its … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Another superb day! True to his reputation … Read more >>

A fun puzzle for a Monday morning – my particular favourite was 14d. Across 5. SCARAB A R in SCAB 6. CHERRY HER in CRY 9. SHIFTS Double definition 10. ORNAMENT (A M … Read more >>

Solving time: 20:43, two mistakes (23ac and 5dn) I found this fairly difficult but enjoyable. A number of the answers, including the two I guessed incorrectly (EPISEMON and ERYSIPELAS), had ambiguous wordplays, which … Read more >>

I normally find Chifonie very difficult, so I was pleased to get through about half today’s puzzle very fast – the rest of the clues (mostly in the bottom half) took quite a … Read more >>

I don’t remember seeing  a Logodaedalus puzzle for a while, so it’s a welcome return. I found this pretty straightforward, with some nice surfaces and anagrams, although I have a couple of quibbles. … Read more >>

I blogged what I think was Boatman’s first puzzle a few weeks ago, and here he is again. The consensus then seemed to be that he was a promising addition to the stable, … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram What a superb day! I was solving … Read more >>

Straightforward monday puzzle, lots of typical Rufus cryptic definitions. c.d. = cryptic definition d.d. = double definition * = anagram << = rev Across 1. STRATUS. ST(R)ATUS 5. FULCRA. c.d. 9. WEAPONRY. OPENWAR* … Read more >>

Solving time: 13:40 An enjoyable puzzle from Araucaria, with a couple of strange clues thrown in. Several clues refer to the Suffragette movement. * = anagram, “X” = sounds like ‘X’. Across 1 … Read more >>

Quite easy for a friday, I thought.  Straightforward and well constructed, with a lot of anagrams. * = anagram dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition Across 7. LADIES MAN. ASEMILAND*. Never … Read more >>

I very much enjoyed this puzzle and personally didn’t find it nearly as difficult as the last couple of days. There are several references to the United States (7a, 26a, 1d, 3d, 18d) … Read more >>

Across 1 DORIS DAY: DOR (as in d’or, of gold, golden) + IS (lives) + DAY (period); actress in Calamity Jane film of 1953 5 SHUCKS: HUCK in SS 9 NUNEATON: NUN EAT … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Most of you would have cottoned on … Read more >>