Independent

Reasonably straightforward puzzle, I found. Solving time: 17 mins Will concentrate on a few of what seemed the trickier clues, happy to explain others if asked. ACROSS 24 THE E MP IRE Refers … Read more >>

Very Nimrod. I’m fairly sure all the answers are right but I have my doubts about 8A and 4D is still a mystery to me. Across 1 CHIMER – which is a type … Read more >>

I rattled through this puzzle but fell at the final hurdle, well as 24ac and 17dn. Across 5 PAYSLIP — PAYS + LIP — pays is French for country. 9 DOUBLE-BARRELLED — DOUBLE … Read more >>

Just spotted the Nina in this puzzle – look at the unchecked letters around the perimeter (the left-hand side doesn’t work properly because it needs a three-letters rather than four). Across 5 BORE … Read more >>

This was a “solved-before-the-bus-came-along” puzzle for me so much of the wordplay went by in a bit of a blur, although I knew I would get the opportunity to look at it all … Read more >>

Themed as almost always from Virgilius: this time fairly clear when looking at clues: 4 (6,3,6) phrases, connected by “and”. Very fast solve for me, 11 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 1 SENATORSHIP … Read more >>

This puzzle by one of the occasional setters was a very fast solve for me.   Got quite a few answers by seeing definitions.     Solving time: 13 mins. * = anagram    < = reversed … Read more >>

Excellent stuff from Phi. I’m lost on the last one across though. Across 1/10 THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE — double def. — the cryptic definition of the two refers to … Read more >>

One of the easier puzzles from this usually tough compiler. I filled in a surprising number of answers using definitions and/or checking letters so it was the only when I came to write … Read more >>

An excellent puzzle from one the Indy’s occasional setters, with a background in the world of advanced puzzles. A mixture of very easy and very hard clues, I found. Excellently crafted with some … Read more >>

Fairly straightforward, I found. Solving time: 16 mins. As in recent weeks, will comment on a small number of what seemed the trickier or more interesting clues, but happy to explain any others … Read more >>

Solving time: 26 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 TRI FACIAL “Try” Trifacial nerve 11 YORK Hidden 12 FELT TIP PEN 14/15 SMOKEY ROBINSON (Bono risks money)* 18/19 INTERNAL ORGANS  … Read more >>

Solving Time:  17 minutes Another breathtaking puzzle from Virgilius, who is surely in the elite of setters.  The clues are all thematic, concise, read splendidly and bring a smile to the face (Especially … Read more >>

Apologies for the delay in posting this – I solved the puzzle but then didn’t get a chance to blog it. This is the first Saturday crossword from Math, and it has a … Read more >>

Across 1/4 EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION – “assembled” led me down an anagram-related garden path for a while, until I realised the clue was a sort of cryptic definition, with a surface reading designed to … Read more >>