Independent

I’ve only got time to say a few general comments on this puzzle so if anyone is stuck on any of the clues please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to … Read more >>

Solving Time:  23 minutes The usual demonstration from Phi that simple clear clue writing can be elegant and humorous – and a delight to solve. ACROSS    (*) = ANAGRAM  (CD) =  CRYPTIC DEF  … Read more >>

This was a very quick solve for me (8:47, since you asked) so I didn’t spot the (subtly done) theme until I had 2 or 3 answers to go in. I’ve mentioned all … Read more >>

The football theme stands out from the clues if not the grid entries, only 9a is a footballing term. I thought that was it then I noticed the letters in the first and … Read more >>

As indicated eslewhere, the first of a shorter blog on Quixote puzzles.    Will try to concentrate on a small number of clues focussing on the trickier ones and those I liked the most.    … Read more >>

This seemed like a harder crossword than a standard Dac. Looking back I can’t quite see why though although three words being new to me slowed me down (1ac, 27ac, 20d) Across 1 … Read more >>

Thematically, there seems to be quite a bit going on in this puzzle. We have horses/ponies (1A, 10A, part of 14A, 17A, 21A and part of 26A, along with a reference to a … Read more >>

This had a theme, but I proved you did not need to know it to solve the puzzle, because I tumbled to it only when verifying for this blog having filled the grid … Read more >>

A bit more challenging than the usual Phi, but not as satisfying. A lot of tenuous clueing in place of the usual witty word play. Across 1 BORSCHT TH(C+S)ROB<. Fairly tenuous with ‘c’ … Read more >>

Absolutely brilliant puzzle from Nestor and very possibly the hardest blocked puzzle I’ve solved in recent memory (and there have been some tough Times puzzles over the last couple of weeks). To be … Read more >>

Solving time: 19 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 T(RAJ)AN     A Roman Emperor       Raj = British rule in India 4 OBSERVER   A competing Sunday newspaper 9 COT    … Read more >>

A puzzle timed for the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, who to this blogger remains the King – for his earlier music and films especially. There were 7 lines of … Read more >>

Solving time: 16 mins < = reversed   * = anagram ACROSS 1 Tom SHARPE  “Sharp” 4 B (LACK S) E A   be = live   on the borders = outside 9 RISQUE … Read more >>

A very  pleasing puzzle, which I found quite easy. Solving time: 22 mins * =  anagram < = reverse ACROSS 9 OVERT RUMP    Ruff (a term from the card game bridge, I … Read more >>

Across 9 (+M)OBS,TER(-M) – an “obsolete expression” would be an OBS TERM. Move the back (M) to the front to get MOBSTER. 10 TO(Y for P)SHOP – I initally thought the fashion retailer … Read more >>