Never knowingly undersolved
This was quite straightforward except for a few (14, 22 and 13 down) which took slightly longer than the others. Thanks to Hectence. Definitions are underlined in the clues. [[The pictures at the … Read more >>
It’s Chifonie, not Rufus, providing the ‘gentle start to the week’ today, so there’s more in the way of simple charades than double and cryptic definitions, which will please some people. There’s a … Read more >>
The usual well-constructed puzzle, although one or two of the definitions such as those in 9 and 21 required a bit of checking. Across 1. Worthy firm not beyond repair, needing millions invested … Read more >>
The special instructions were: *28 across and 12 down are unclued. Five solutions are 28 12 down, not further defined in their clues and 28 12 downs, say, have featured three other solutions, also … Read more >>
I quite often manage to complete a large proportion the easier Azeds without any aids, but this is the first (at least for a while) where I was able to write in all … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at http://www.guardian.co.uk/crosswords/everyman/3481.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I found this hard. Some very good cluing by Kairos, and you have to say that this setter takes care with his surfaces; there were some … Read more >>
A number of you may have seen some articles last week in the press concerning our crossword research and, in particular, the recorded crossword solving trials we conducted in Buckingham during 2011, which … Read more >>
“This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius … ” When I saw the references to 7 in so many clues I immediately made a special effort to crack it (failed). But … Read more >>
A puzzle at the more straightforward end of Paul’s range, I think, especially for a Prize, made easier by the four long answers, which went in pretty readily. There seem to be rather … Read more >>
As we always have on Friday, a good offering from Phi. He has used as his theme the cringeworthy 13ac, which is a way of using an idea that is very simple but … Read more >>
Straightforward and entertaining Across 1 RAGAMUFFIN urchin RAG (argue with) A MUFFIN (man with woman) 7 GAME triple definition 9 UGLI fruit sounds like UGLY (rotten) 10 FIRST-CLASS … Read more >>
First-rate Across 1 Watched, including Question Time, and following item SEQUENT QU (question) in SEEN (watched) T (time) 7 Different article secured by soldiers OTHER THE (article) in OR … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at http://www.guardian.co.uk/crosswords/cryptic/25986. Unless the Grauniad has got its act together, this address is the only way to get at the crossword; the usual links are missing (even if you search for 25986, it will tell you that it does not exist). Thus my normal inclusion of the address may be of particular use.
Straight clues, but an unconventional entry for one down clue in each column. A phrase to be deduced and advice against using a pen to fill the grid! Once I got over my … Read more >>