This is my first IoS blog and I have not seen Nitsy before. My summary would be: straightforward but difficult. I found the clue construction straightforward, but the cunning definitions and misleading surface meanings meant that finding the solutions was not an easy task at all.
Independent
Independent Crossword 8530 by Anax (15-02-2014)
The Saturday after Valentine’s day and a duel with Anax. Now this was certainly one for a hungry person on a long train journey, where the buffet was closed. Every clue has some reference … Read more >>
Independent 8,535 / Phi
I was expecting this Friday to bring me a lexical tussle with Phi, and so it did. This was a puzzle I was expecting to whizz through, having worked out all the longer … Read more >>
Independent 8534 / Klingsor
Klingsor’s puzzle today was a fair workout for a Thursday. There were a couple of lesser known words / phrases, for me at least, in the top left hand corner … Read more >>
Independent 8,533 by Dac
An unusually easy crossword from Dac today, it seemed. But that is not to denigrate it: there are as always some lovely surfaces and all is sound — even 24ac, about which I have slight misgivings, may possibly be included in this.
Definitions in italics.
Independent 8532 / Donk
Regular solvers may remember Donk’s last puzzle, which we were very lucky to blog on January 9th – a real tour de force. In our opinion it would be very difficult to beat … Read more >>
Independent 8531 by Quixote
I found this at the harder end of the Quixote spectrum, with quite a lot of fairly unusual words. Clues like 13 and 5 were tough to get without most of the crossing … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,251 by Poins
Quite a tough workout from Poins this week, I found. There were several points (Tom Mix, for example) where my general knowledge fell short, and plenty of new terms to learn. That said, … Read more >>
Independent 8524 by Jambazi (Saturday Prize Puzzle 8 February 2014)
‘Jambazi’ is ‘Tramp’s Indy pseudonym, but on closer inspection of this puzzle, could he also be ‘Cyclops’ in disguise?… On my initial solve, this seemed a fairly straightforward puzzle – suitably difficult for a Saturday … Read more >>
Independent 8529 / Phi
Phi often does interesting things with the letters and words in the grid – today he has done something different by using a grid with reflective symmetry. The grid today … Read more >>
Independent 8,528 by Tyrus
Tyrus has given us his usual good tough crossword, and in places I’m not really sure that I’ve got it right, but no doubt someone will correct me. At least I have always suggested something, although with little confidence at times.
And if there’s a Nina, as usual I can’t see it.
Definitions in italics.
Independent 8527 / Dac
Another Wednesday, another Dac and we’re not complaining. As RatkojaRiku said in the blog last week, it is always very difficult to pick a favourite with Dac’s puzzles. Last time we blogged a … Read more >>
Independent 8,526 / Radian
It is the third time in recent months that I have blogged a Tuesday puzzle by Radian, but I am certainly not complaining! I suppose there simply had to be a puzzle during … Read more >>
Independent 8525/Tees
Indy regulars will know that there were no Tees in last Thursday’s Nestor puzzle; but there was a good helping of Tees today. A delightful crossword, which I really enjoyed solving and blogging. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1250/Hypnos
Another very pleasing Sunday puzzle from Hypnos in the usual IoS style. All clearly and elegantly clued, with a good range of subject matter in the answers to enjoy. Abbreviations cd … Read more >>