Independent on Sunday 1,211 by eXternal
I think we welcome another new setter to the IoS this week, though I do recall one or two Inquisitors set by eXternal quite recently. This was a good puzzle, which required a … Read more >>
AZED No. 2,135 Plain COMPETITION PUZZLE
Nick: This was perhaps the toughest ‘plain’ puzzle from Azed (other than the ‘specials’) that I have attempted – a definite 10/10 on the hardness scale. But before the blog, something related: Well, … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3474 (5th May)
Lorraine: Good morning to you all. Fairly straight forward Everyman this week, a few clues made me think harder than usual. First clues in, 3 and 8dn, and 18ac. Favourites were, 18,21 and 24ac. … Read more >>
Independent 8285 by Rorschach (Saturday Prize Puzzle 4 May 2013)
I think I have solved all the clues correctly, but I can’t quite explain the parsing/wordplay in all cases. And although I could detect an underlying theme-ette, there were a couple of ‘almost-nina’s … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 25,939 by Tramp
I used to find Tramp puzzles pretty tricky but I think I must be getting on to his wavelength at last. I have not seen any of the Star Wars movies but fortunately … Read more >>
Sloggers and Betters (London) – 23rd May
The annual lunch for Times setters is taking place on 23rd May and this will be followed by a Sloggers and Betters get-together in The Town of Ramsgate (62 Wapping High Street E1) … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,309 by Bradman
Excellent way to start the day Across 1 IMPEACH disparage I’M PEACH 5 STOMATA tiny holes TOMAT[o] (fruit) in SA (it – sex appeal) 9 FIEND monster FRIEND (chum) … Read more >>
Guardian 25,944 – Gordius
Gordius is appearing at strange intervals these days – he used to be fairly predictably every other week, but then we saw him on a Friday and the following Tuesday, and now today … Read more >>
Independent 8290 / Phi
Phi has a theme running through today’s puzzle. Literature is not my strong point, but I managed to dredge up all the relevant Shakespeare CHARACTERs [9 across] from The TEMPEST … Read more >>
Independent 8289/Tees
A rather difficult but enjoyable and so far as I can see utterly sound crossword from Tees (except perhaps for 1dn, about which I shall no doubt be corrected). He has achieved a … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,308 by Redshank
I always enjoy Redshank’s puzzles, although my enjoyment in this instance was tempered by the fact that, having dashed through the NW corner, I spent half an hour staring at the rest of … Read more >>
Guardian 25,943 – Brummie
Fun and challenging, despite the two longer clues falling almost immediately. Favourites were 15a and 3d. Across 8 TERRAPIN =”reptile” (painter)* around R[ex]=”king” 10 STOW =”stuff” [as a verb] rev(WOT’S) – my Chambers … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,299 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Apr 29 Yes, half of the clues were double or cryptic definitions, but this was once more an enjoyable offering from Dante. That said, I am always a bit annoyed when … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,298 by Cinephile
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of April 27, 2013 I found this puzzle fairly easy and generally rather good. I am also a little unsure of how to characterize 4A (SPARE RIB). … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,307 by Io
I found this much more amenable than the previous Io I blogged which was a desperate struggle – so getting to the end of this puzzle unaided came as something of a relief. Still not … Read more >>