Independent

I think Quixote commented on this site some time ago that the aim was to keep the puzzle fairly easy, but that he would put a more difficult one in from time to … Read more >>

A challenging puzzle in parts with some superb charade clues that inventively stitch together the component parts and at the same time have very good surfaces. One word was new to me and … Read more >>

Across 1 IT in A,GATES – I wasted some time thinking that “a software giant” was A,MS (Microsoft) rather than A,(Bill) GATES. 9 ISLA – “I’ll”,A 12/13 ITCHY AND SCRATCHY – I’d like … Read more >>

I always enjoy crosswords from Virgilius and this was no exception. I can’t see a theme which is unusual for Virgilius but maybe I haven’t looked long enough! Across 1 GREATA GARBO – (RAGE … Read more >>

An enjoyable and rather unusual crossword in that I solved it quite fast from definitions and seeing what fit rather than immediately understanding all the clues. Do not understand 4 down though. (Thanks, … Read more >>

Solving time: 20 minutes Another enjoyable puzzle from the Mr Dependable of the crossword world. Plenty of terrific clues to keep the mind taxed with 11 across a particular favourite,  along with 5 … Read more >>

Quite often, when I’m solving a puzzle that I’ll be blogging later on, I fill in answers which I’m reasonably sure are right and then think, “I’ll work out the wordplay when I … Read more >>

Solving time: 22 mins. Pleasing fare, as always. * = anagram ACROSS 7 HE PA(R)IN Friendly wordplay for a word unfamiliar to me (but it’s in the Concise OED). A compound occurring in … Read more >>

A fine puzzle by this talented setter. Solving time:  31 mins * = anagram   < = reversed ACROSS 1 BO W-W(O)W      www = world wide web = net   BO = … Read more >>

A rushed puzzle today which is still unfinished. I have not worked out 18dn or 21ac, I suspect if I got either I’d get the other but I thought I’d get the post … Read more >>

Easier-than-usual puzzle from Virgilius but with another clever bit of grid trickery – every down clue (except 9D, which reveals the theme) is a reversal of its (180 degree) symmetrical opposite . Of … Read more >>

Across 6 BORIS – SIR + OB =< 7 RETICENT – CITE <= in RENT 10 HOGWEED – ((L)OW HEDGE)* 13 DOWAGER – “DO WAGER” 14 STAGE FRIGHT – Cryptic definition 20 CARAMEL … Read more >>

I thought I’d got the schedule wrong when I came to post this and saw the top Independent post from Neil for a Phi! Closer examination revealed a different crossword completely so business … Read more >>

We had a tough Saturday Phi puzzle a couple of months ago but I think this one was harder. I solved this one in deepest Suffolk, with no access to a decent dictionary … Read more >>

Solving time: 23 mins * (anagram) ACROSS 1 RAP TOR 4 BAD BLOOD Pleasing double definition 10 DEC (December is last month) ALITRE (retail)* 13 COELENTERATES (ocean resettle)* 16 POSTMODERNISM (Immodest porn’s)* 23 … Read more >>