Guardian

Solving time: 20’ The recent setters table on this site has had me wondering about the Ximenean vs. Libertarian classification – Rufus has been tagged as the latter. This puzzle has convinced me: … Read more >>

Solving time: 8:15 An easier puzzle than usual from Paul, with no 10ac that I could see. Beginners’ tips: ‘criminal’ = FENCE, ‘fairy’ = PERI, ‘essay’ = TRY, ‘kiss’ = X. * = … Read more >>

Solving time: 35’ More than one instance in which clear wordplay led to a new word (THALLI, SINICISM, CHOTA, OGIVES, ADENITIS) or a familiar word had me reverse engineering the wordplay (DIE HAPPY). … Read more >>

Solving Time:  14 minutes I picked this up while munching on my Wheatybangs and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Orlando is, one of the setters on the Graun that is taken for granted; his puzzles contain … Read more >>

‘The dog for me’ (6dn)… well, I don’t think Chifonie’s an Afghan, so it probably had to be setter, didn’t it!  That one was a bit obvious to seasoned hands, but there are some nice clues … Read more >>

Solving time approx 20 mins. A couple of new words for me (see title) – I hope Shed gets well soon! Otherwise fairly straightforward but I made no more than steady progress. Across … Read more >>

A very quick solve (app 8 mins). Most of the clues were very straightforward and the wordplay acceptable. There were a few examples of superfluous linkwords placed in the clue to allow the … Read more >>

Solving time: 42 mins; one missing (1ac). A common feature of Araucaria’s puzzles is the inclusion of very long phrases spanning multiple clues with very complex wordplay. This week’s complementary phrases were SOMETHING … Read more >>

Apologies for the lateness and brevity of this post, but I have already blogged a Times and an Inquisitor today, and submitted a puzzle for publication in a charity newspaper, as well as … Read more >>

Solving time: 30’ Whew! I almost got blown away by this one. I’m going to say it again: I don’t see how this can be solved on the tube. I realize, having said … Read more >>

Several clues used 12 as the definition in a couple of different ways. I got three card games before I got GAME itself and assumed I was looking for card games, thus PARTRIDGE … Read more >>

Took me about 20 minutes, except for the last two clues, which I feel could take another week. Offers welcomed for 13 across and 22 down. What with these, and several dictionary words … Read more >>

Solving time about 10-12 minutes altogether in 3 short sessions. I was trying to look at it while on a conference call at work, but somebody asked me a question and I didn’t … Read more >>

Solving time: 22:12 I made heavy weather of this, especially the key long answer (16ac) and the top left corner, and I can’t explain 4dn. No main theme that I could spot, but … Read more >>