Independent

It’s really difficult to know what to say in the preamble for Dac’s puzzles. They always have smooth surfaces and well-constructed clues but there is rarely anything ‘out of the ordinary’ that demands … Read more >>

When you notice that a puzzle has been set by Donk, you know you have a treat in store, both as a solver and as a blogger. Today’s puzzle was no exception. This … Read more >>

A wild and wet morning here brings Quixote for our fortnightly monday entertainment. Quite a quick solve and blog today except possibly 17a where I feel I’m missing something possibly to do with … Read more >>

I enjoyed this Poins puzzle.  Some quite intricate cluing, but all fair.  And a bit of bestiality thrown in for good measure. Possibly the reason that the cluing is intricate is the large … Read more >>

It seems like quite a while since I did battle with Anax, but it’s always a welcome challenge. Admittedly, drawing an Anax can often be a little daunting for a solver, but this … Read more >>

Sorry this is on the late side. I always do the puzzle in the morning by downloading it from the site, but today for some reason my computer decided that its version of Java … Read more >>

Thanks Punk, this was fun! There were fewer clues to solve than usual but there were some long answers that took a bit of head scratching to sort out. (Thanks and apologies to the … Read more >>

Dac is at home today in his regular Wednesday slot. A set of smooth, sound and concise clues, up to Dac’s usual high standard, which offered me a decent work-out to start the … Read more >>

Radian is a monthly contributor to the daily Independent crossword series.  The puzzles often contain cross references as is the case today       Today, 15th October,  is ADA LOVELACE day, an annual … Read more >>

*=anagram [] = removed e.g. char[m]=char ()=abbreviation e.g. A(mpere)=a Hom. = homophone An inventive and accessible crossword from Morph. There was occasionally some eccentric and groan-worthy cluing (such as in 1 across and … Read more >>

This was a similar experience to the last Commoner I blogged – there was one answer which took me quite some time to parse.  Thanks to Commoner for a puzzle that was a … Read more >>

Jambazi delivers a crossword for the prize slot which is not as tricky as expected.  Some of his weekday offerings have given me more trouble. Solving progressed steadily with some answers popping in, … Read more >>

For anyone surprised to find a Tees puzzle on a Phiday, please have a look at yesterday’s blog. Posa turns out to be Phi in disguise!! This was an enjoyable solve, with several … Read more >>

Today’s offering is by a compiler whose work I have not knowingly encountered before. One always approaches the work of a “new” setter with a sense of eager anticipation, tinged with nervous anxiety … Read more >>

Dac continues to produce crosswords that give a good deal of pleasure and satisfaction to solvers.  There are rarely any gimmicks, Ninas or tricks.       Having said that, I spent a … Read more >>