Independent 8281 / Alchemi
Alchemi is one of the newer setters on the Independent block. This was a pleasant solve without too many pitfalls. I had to think a bit about the parsing of … Read more >>
Guardian 25,935 by Gordius
I careered through this puzzle merrily until the very last clue and I am still wondering. Otherwise, an easy-going puzzle today Across 7 ERRATIC Unreliable boy harbours vermin (7) Ins of RAT (vermin) … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 702 / Nutmeg
I enjoyed this puzzle, but it was a bit tricky for a Quiptic. According to some of the comments on the Guardian website it is more challenging than today’s Rufus. Most of the … Read more >>
Independent 8280 by Quixote
Lots of neat, well-written clues as ever from Quixote. I particularly liked the &lit of 6 and and the apposite surface reading of 22. Across 1. Bill had a meal eating dog? True! … Read more >>
Guardian 25,934 – Rufus
The usual Rufus style, which was pretty much a write-in for me today, though I’m puzzled by the construction of 20d. Not any more – see comments … Read more >>
Private Eye / Cyclops 493 – …lightenlightenli…
I smiled at the double-light in column 12 of the grid when it revealed itself. That’s what us crossword fans want isn’t it – a spot of light enlightening. Across 1/13 DAMAGE … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,207
Well I never. It has been a while, but this was a rare unaided finish for your blogger. I suspect the enforced discipline of tackling the puzzle over a quiet pint or two … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3472 (21st April)
Lorraine: Good morning to you all, I was working on Sunday so had to wait until Tuesday before I could do my much loved Everyman. Fairly straight forward this week, favourites are too numerous … Read more >>
Azed 2133
This was a standard plain crossword from Azed with the usual mix of precise cluing and unfamilair words. Azed’s puzzle always show how any word can be clued by breaking … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1209 Commoner
I believe this is only the second IoS from Commoner. Many interesting surfaces. The last answer that I parsed took a bit longer than the others. Thanks to Commoner. Definitions are underlined in … Read more >>
Guardian 25,927 / Crucible
Apologies for the late post – we didn’t complete this last Saturday morning, and I managed to forget that I was meant to be writing a post about it. Anyway, we found this … Read more >>
Independent 8,273 by Bannsider (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 20/04/13)
A challenging puzzle, as one tends to expect from a Bannsider, but I got there. It took almost the entire week, but I did manage to finish unaided, though one or two took … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1065: Hotiuhtw by Rustic
Having escaped from the jaws of Playfair codes with yesterday’s Listener (Oh, No! Not Another Playfair), courtesy of Mordred, here I am well and truly in at the deep end! Time to see … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,297 by Bradman
An enjoyable solve Across 1 PERICOPE a few words of Scripture PER (one) I (in) COPE (priestly garment) 5 IAMBUS part of poem 1am transport 10 CONKING hitting on … Read more >>
Independent 8278 / Phi
Another Friday Phi puzzle to blog – we’re not complaining! Often Phi has a hidden theme or a nina. Sometimes we’ve looked for these and missed them, sometimes we’ve hunted for one and … Read more >>