Once again I’ve drawn the lad Hoskins, not that I’m complaining, far from it.
Independent
Independent on Sunday 1417/Raich
Raich always gives us sound puzzles, and this is no exception. I found it tough, though. Could just be brain fade on my part. Happy St George’s Day. Abbreviations … Read more >>
Independent 9524 (Sat 22-Apr 2017) Klingsor
With Klingsor back again on a Saturday things can’t be too bad. Solving was a pleasure. Half the grid was filled on first pass – precisely: 14 out of the 28 clues entered. … Read more >>
Independent 9523 / Phi
It’s Friday and as expected we have a Phi to solve and blog – no complaints here. Phi has apparently decided to set himself challenges other than the inclusion of themes or … Read more >>
Independent 9,522 / Serpent
Serpent’s latest cruciverbal challenge is occupying the Thursday slot this week. Compared with the last Serpent puzzle that I blogged on a Thursday about a month ago, I found this one a tad … Read more >>
Independent 9521 / Math
Math is the setter this Wednesday, occupying the slot predominantly filled by Dac. There is a clear film theme to the across entries with some further allusions to films and … Read more >>
Independent 9,520 by Punk
As always, a fine crossword from Punk. There are possible quibbles with 13ac and 15ac/1dn, and some of the answers have marginally less than 50% checking, but there is a nice theme that may excuse this.
These crosswords that have lots of clues referring to other ones are always difficult to start on, since one’s first read through only allows possible solving of some of the clues, and this was no exception.
Definitions underlined and in maroon.
Independent 9,519 by Alchemi
This was one of those themed puzzles that can be difficult to start with if you don’t get the gateway clue quickly.
Independent on Sunday 1416 Hoskins
This was, I thought, trickier than the usual IoS puzzle. It wouldn’t be out of place as a weekday, or perhaps even a Saturday (when the Indie used to give out prizes) Indie … Read more >>
Independent crossword 9518 by Jambazi
Easter weekend and a puzzle from Jambazi. Whilst I don’t usually look up meanings of setters’ names, for some reason I did today and Jambazi appears to mean bandit in Swahili. I found … Read more >>
Independent 9,517 / Phi
Not surprisingly, Good Friday this year is also a Good Phi-day! Like another recent Phi puzzle, this grid also contains a large number of longer entries, all of which were across clues. As … Read more >>
Independent 9516 / Morph
Morph has given us a puzzle of transition today I The clues and the entries move thematically from the icy cold of the pole to the sweltering heat of the equator. … Read more >>
Independent 9,515 by Eccles
What we have come to expect from Eccles and just right for a Wednesday: good, accessible, sound. Plenty of nice clues.
My apologies for the lateness, which is even worse than usual (The Guardian and the FT are always before me. Bet they are today [actually the FT wasn’t]). When I switched off yesterday there were various updates, and these had to be fiddled with by the computer before it booted up. And then it didn’t seem to want to start Windows. But eventually it did thank goodness.
Independent 9514 / Vigo
A fairly straightforward puzzle from Vigo today. Nothing too taxing, but none the worse for that. All the clues were fair, with no particularly unusual words, making for a very enjoyable solve. … Read more >>
Independent 9513/Silvanus
Silvanus and I shook hands on Fifteensquared with his debut puzzle a few weeks ago, and we meet again today. I thought that this one was well-constructed and witty on occasions, but there … Read more >>