Independent

Another quality work from the Don with a rich variety of cryptic devices, each crafted well and creatively. I do, however, have one teeny-weeny quibble. Dr Brian Skinner, my crossword moderator, would never … Read more >>

Welcome to my first blog of the Independent’s Saturday prize crossword. A very enjoyable puzzle from Nestor – not too taxing, but not without some head scratching (most notably explaining 4dn).  A bit … Read more >>

After spending a week struggling with crosswords of all descriptions and from numerous sources, and having difficulty unpicking wordplay even when I had the solution before me, Phi’s puzzle felt like a breath … Read more >>

Apologies for the lateness with this one – it’s been one of those days! I really didn’t get the chance to give this one the attention it deserves and needed to speed through … Read more >>

As usual a lovely crossword from Dac, who week after week shows that it is not necessary to have difficult clues, simply ones that are perfectly formed. In fact the clues are so … Read more >>

I’m an emergency stand-in today, so apologies for the slight delay in posting. I’m not a regular daily Independent solver – I tend to get The Independent on Saturday for the Inquisitor (which … Read more >>

*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism This is only the second Nitsy puzzle I can recall and it continues an improving trend. It was mostly on the easy side but … Read more >>

Nothing too troublesome this week, I think. Another pleasant Sunday solve. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Across 1 LIEU – potential hom. of “loo”, depending on one’s accent. 4 BISECT … Read more >>

This is my first Indy blog – and I believe there is another new starter next week – so ‘thank-you’ to the Saturday Indy team for letting a couple of newcomers into the … Read more >>

This is the first Indy daily puzzle I’ve had chance to look at this week, any spare time I’ve had having been eaten up trying to get to grips with last week’s Inquisitor … Read more >>

My face fell when up came the name Nimrod. He is just terribly difficult. I can’t quite see why, because in most cases the clues can easily be explained; in fact they are … Read more >>

After the apprentice comes the master, sorry Tyrus no slight intended.. I had real problems typing this up and was getting ready to throw the laptop out the window,  I’m better now 🙂 … Read more >>

This was my first attempt a blogging at puzzle set by Tyrus and it proved a real teaser. Is it just me or do others find that when they have to blog a … Read more >>

Pleasing puzzle from Glow-worm which I found very much on easy side, perhaps chosen as such for a Monday.      Solving time, 15 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES    required to pay … Read more >>

Quite surprised to realise this is my first post this year. A nice friendly Quixote for our Sunday run-about. Only 7d had me head-scratching for the subsiduary bit although my initial error on … Read more >>