Guardian

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Today, I had to keep looking above … Read more >>

A pretty straightforward puzzle from Rufus,  with no real ‘complications’ [one of two rather weak clues, I thought] and perhaps fewer cryptic clues than usual. dd: double definition cd: cryptic definition [*]: anagram … Read more >>

Solving time: 9:02 A very rapid blog this week as I’m already running extremely late! I found this much easier than some of Araucaria’s recent puzzles. There is a geometric theme running through … Read more >>

Nothing too difficult but certainly some very clever clueing and nice surfaces throughout. Loved 24ac. Across 1 CHUMMY CHUMMY=”sociable” and I’ve vaguely heard of police calling a criminal “chummy”. 4 DISCUS DISCUS[s] 9 … Read more >>

Not too much of a challenge today, but a few words that were new to me. * = anagram < = reversed (x) = removal (X) = insertion dd = double definition cd … Read more >>

A birthday treat for me – blogging Araucaria. Not too hard by his standards, though there were a few tricky areas and one rather obscure answer at 5dn. Key: dd = double definition … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram I am truly blessed. Last week, I … Read more >>

As ever, a great fun puzzle for the start of the week from Rufus, with lots of “A-ha!” moments with the cryptic definitions. I found the top left corner was much harder than … Read more >>

Solving time: 33 mins (one mistake, a misspelling of BREECHES) I found this ‘Araubetical’ (© Muck) very difficult, mostly because of the high number of unchecked initial letters – in fact, after 20 … Read more >>

Is is just me being dense, or was this rather difficult today? I could do with some help with explaining 18d (HACKSAW). That said, there are lots of marvellous surface readings here (too … Read more >>

Across 1 FORGERY: ER in F ORGY 5 RUSSIFY: reversed and hidden in rockY FISSURe 10 VICE: double definition 11 CARCINOGEN: anagram of CIGaR ONE CAN without an ‘a’ (wanting) 12 GANNET: ANN … Read more >>

Boatman is a name I’m not familiar with – maybe a new addition to the Guardian stable? As a result I had no idea what to expect from this puzzle, but it turned … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram I am so fortunate to have landed … Read more >>

Not much to say about today’s, fairly straightforward with a couple of niggles. * = anagram cd = cryptic definition Across 1. FISHWIFE. FISH + W(IF)E.  I’ve never been sure why this is … Read more >>