Independent

A very nice puzzle I thought. Thank you Tees.   ACROSS 1 HARDPAN Tricky to wash gravel through subsoil layer (7) HARD (tricky) PAN (to wash gravel through) 5 ANAGRAM Gelding niggled by … Read more >>

I found this quite hard. I may have been misled by getting 1a near instantly.  Not sure why that is such a obvious anagram.  I most certainly slowed down after that. There may … Read more >>

Phi brings the standard working week to a close as is usual.       The shortest entry has given me the greatest problem in parsing today.  I think the wordplay for TOO … Read more >>

It is always a joy to be blogging a puzzle by Klingsor — he is one of the setters I seek out. This one was perhaps a bit less challenging than sometimes, but … Read more >>

It’s Wednesday and we have an Eccles to blog. What else can we say, that hasn’t been said before in previous blogs? Always a pleasure to solve – we’ve already said that. Neat … Read more >>

Today’s puzzle has been set for us by Radian. I found this to be a medium-to-hard puzzle, and I made slower progress through it than at first I expected that I would. I … Read more >>

Alchemi has brewed up an enjoyable Monday morning challenge: mostly straightforward but with a few tricky bits. Lots of good surfaces and amusing misdirections. I liked the obvious-when-you-see-it 12d and the sneaky cryptic … Read more >>

The puzzle can be found here.   Hello and happy Sunday. Sorry the blog is a little later than usual: real life getting in the way. However much “real life” is happening, Hoskins … Read more >>

The first Saturday in December, and the virtual advent calendar comprising Independent crosswords brings a puzzle from Tyrus. Sure to pick me up and many others I would think. And it was a … Read more >>

The usual thoroughly satisfying crossword from Phi. He must produce these very quickly, yet they are always beautifully crafted. Definitions in maroon, underlined. Anagram indicators in italics. Phi hardly ever has less than … Read more >>

Serpent tests the old grey matter today. As expected, this was quite a challenge, but a very satisfying one, with the usual great clues, good surfaces and crafty misdirections. We always expect a … Read more >>

Tees is occupying the midweek slot with a medium-difficulty and rather topical puzzle. I particularly enjoyed the references to current affairs in this puzzle at 6, 01/17/27 and 8. Incidentally, the expression at … Read more >>

It’s over a year since I blogged a Dalibor puzzle, so it’s good to get another opportunity.       As I finished the blog, I realised that it was a Tuesday, so … Read more >>

A very challenging puzzle with some great surface definitions. As I'm currently on antibiotics for a severely infected left thumb, I could have done without 1 across, but it was an interesting clue … Read more >>

Tees is becoming quite the IoS regular. Another sound puzzle with a good range of subject matter and clue types. Those who get anal about cryptic grammar might not like a construction that … Read more >>