Apart from my criticisms, which are detailed in the blog, Knut has given us his usual pleasant crossword.
Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Independent
Independent 10,213/Tees
Tees can do mainstream; Tees can do left-field. In places this was the latter. This took me a long time to solve. Tees will always reward your patience and lead … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1532 Phi
Thank you to Phi…is there a particular reason why he’s appearing on Sunday, which is not his usual spot…? Definitions are underlined in the clues. … Yes there is. On this date (7 … Read more >>
Independent 10,212 by Filbert (Saturday 6th July 2019)
Since appearing on the scene sometime over a year ago Filbert has appeared about once a month, and though I’m sure I haven’t tackled all of them, when I see the name I … Read more >>
Independent 10,211 / Punk
My apologies for the late posting of the blog today, on what turns out to be a Punk-day rather than a Phi-day! I found this to be very much at the difficult end … Read more >>
Independent 10210 / Hob
I don’t blog Hob crosswords very often although I did write a blog on a Berlioz themed crossword in March this year. Looking through previous blogs of Hob puzzles on … Read more >>
Independent 10,209 by Crosophile
Tough today it seemed. The theme took me a long time to see, and even now I’ve only got half of it. These crosswords with so many cross-references are very hard to get started on, because many of the clues are initially barred to you. But eventually I almost coped and it was on the whole enjoyable.
Definitions in maroon, underlined. Anagram indicators in italics.
Independent 10,208 by Phi
Phi again – this time on a Tuesday – He’ll no doubt be getting fed up with us blogging his puzzles.
Independent 10,207 by Hypnos
A fairly straightforward Monday morning solve from Hypnos. I don’t think I’ve blogged one of his puzzles before, so this was a good start.
Independent on Sunday 1,531 by Peter
Mostly a pleasant and gentle Sunday puzzle but with the odd tricky word thrown in here and there to stop me getting complacent. Thank you Peter.
Independent 10206 by Nimrod
Oh joy – Nimrod. Usually comes in two difficulty levels hard and very hard. But not today or my wavelength just met his for a change. I did find this comparatively easy for … Read more >>
Independent 10205 / Phi
Phi provides a challenge with a theme today The main theme of PACIFIC ISLANDs becomes clear once 8 and 9 across have been solved. I knew all of them except … Read more >>
Independent 10,204 by Dalibor
Dalibor is a fairly recent setter for the Indy and he is clearly worth his place there: this crossword, like its predecessors, contains some very good clues with nice misleading surfaces. And, apart from the next comment and a few very minor quibbles, they are all so far as I can see sound and good.
There are four clues which grate on me because they have <50% checking. I don’t know why this is such a bugbear — I always comment on it — since when you’re solving a clue early on you may have only one of the many letters there to help you, so why 2 out of 5 is such a problem I’m not sure: presumably it’s because Ximenes gave it as a “rule” in his famous book. At any rate no Times crossword (for many people the gold standard, whatever their views on Murdoch) ever has <50% checking.
Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Independent 10,203 by Eccles
Just seeing Eccles name at the top of a puzzle brings a smile to our faces – doubly so when we both put on our ‘Eccles’ voice from the Goons.
Independent 10,202 / Morph
It has been a long time since it has fallen to me to blog a puzzle by Morph, so I was pleased to see that today’s puzzle had been compiled by him. I … Read more >>