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.
Independent 8900 / Alchemi
Well, it’s not Phiday this week!! But it is a 200th anniversary which Alchemi is celebrating in this puzzle. We haven’t blogged an Alchemi before, and this was a good themed challenge, although … Read more >>
Guardian 26,554 by Paul
Struggled with this, but enjoyed it…
Guardian 26,553 – Puck
Some good Puckish fun, with a theme explained by one clue: I solved this one early on, and it was quite a help in getting some of the other answers. Thanks to Puck, … Read more >>
Independent 8,899 / Klingsor
I last blogged a puzzle by Klingsor in February after a very long break, so I was pleased to see that I had not had to wait too long for my next encounter … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,912 by ORENSE
We are not sure about this one. Pretty much a write-in, from top to bottom, and the actual answers were unambiguous. However there was one clue where the answer is absolutely unambiguous but incapable (as far as we are concerned at least) of being parsed precisely, and a couple of other niggles. It could well be that we are missing something. And there was one really neat clue. Overall, good fun and a pleasant start to the day. Thanks, Orense.