Edit: Thanks everyone for the feedback, most helpful. Please see comment #20 for my conclusions.
It was reported earlier in today’s Guardian post that the ‘Preview Comment’ button had stopped working.
Guardian Quiptic 806/Pan
Not sure what to make of this one. The grid wasn’t helpful to the solve; there were some clues I found hard to parse; and I think one clue is faulty. … Read more >>
Independent 8902/Commoner
Perhaps not my favourite ever Commoner puzzle. Not a bad crossword by any means, but almost half the clues made use of the insertion device, which gave it a bit of a stodgy … Read more >>
Guardian 26,556 by Rufus
A nice start to the week from Rufus – I especially liked 1ac, 14dn and my favourite 25ac.
Private Eye/Cyclops 545 Meltdown Climax
I forgot that I was down to blog this so I solved it in the normal manner, in an easy chair, rather than in front of a computer to make notes. I remember … Read more >>
Cambridge S&B – a big ‘thank you’ to all!
Many thanks to all who made the first Cambridge S&B such a success.
And by ‘all’ we do not mean ourselves as the organisers but really everyone who was there on Saturday.
Beelzebub 1311
Either this was more difficult than some recent Beelzebub puzzles or I was below par whilst solving because, as well as taking a little longer to complete the grid, I had to return … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1313 Raich
(Please click here for this same blog but with a picture quiz added. Please do NOT post hereinbelow any comment relating to the picture quiz. Thank you.) An enjoyable puzzle from a favourite … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1313 with Picture Quiz
(Please post comments on ONLY the picture quiz hereinbelow. To post comments on the crossword puzzle, please click here.) An enjoyable puzzle from a favourite IoS setter. Thanks to Raich. Definitions are underlined … Read more >>
Everyman 3,576
Wasn’t really in the crossword zone for this one.
AZED 2,237
I found this tricky and needed some electronic help to get the last couple of solutions after spending a few days failing to finish unaided. I thought there was a huge amount of interesting stuff in here, both cruciverbally and factually. Very enjoyable indeed, one of the most interesting AZEDs I have blogged. Thank you AZED.
Guardian 26,549 / Enigmatist
As usual with Enigmatist’s crosswords, I found this very difficult. Fortunately my colleague Abi kindly helped out in the middle of the week and with her help we both finished it. Anyway, with … Read more >>
Independent Sat 18-Apr-2015 8895 Anax
When I saw the name Anax I thought I was going to be in for a rough ride. It meant I approached the puzzle with caution taking ages over each clue, trying to … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1169: Sentiment by Stick Insect
There have been some fun puzzles from Stick Insect over the last few years, including his recent Listener puzzle, Reductio Ad Absurdum. I was surprised that this solve started off quickly and continued … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,913 by ALBERICH
My eyes lit up with glee when I saw who my setter was today. By the time I got through the crossword, the smile was wiped clean off. Amidst the battering and bruising, I still managed to enjoy several clues. Outclassed by Alberich today. A typical tale of an extraordinary setter meeting an ordinary solver. 🙂 Thanks to Gaufrid for the assistance where needed.