Independent on Sunday 1193 Hypnos
Quite a straightforward and enjoyable puzzle, with a touch of the Season included. Thanks to Hypnos. And a Happy New Year (not too late, I think) to all readers, bloggers and setters here. Definitions … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1049: Iris by MynoT
A fairly straightforward puzzle this week by the looks of it. Six extra words to be found in the clues which would give an instruction. I’ve struggled with some of MynoT’s puzzles before, … Read more >>
Private Eye / Cyclops 485 – Xmas Special
“So this is Christmas, and what have you done Another year over, a new one just begun” Tell you what we’ve done John, another massive Eye Crossword! As usual there is a giant … Read more >>
Independent 8177 (Sat 29-December 2012) Tees
The gods of the old year brought me another Tees to blog, which is fine by me. I always find Tees’ puzzles a pleasure as his clues always make some kind of sense … Read more >>
Guardian 25,831 / Paul
It’s always nice to have a crossword from Paul to post about, and I nowadays only get that chance when he occasionally gets a prize puzzle slot. We found this a satisfying solve, … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,202 by Falcon
Enjoyable puzzle Across 1 COWSLIP rabbit in Watership Down COW (heifer) SLIP (lose footing) 5 DECAMP leave suddenly D[e]E CAMP (affected) 8 SNODGRASS Thomas Jefferson DONS< (fellow aback) GRASS … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1190
Fiendishly difficult – hidden festive greeting given after the answers ‘Where letters clash, enter both (Across then Down) to get our wish for you’ Across 1 Crazy with rage? … Read more >>
Independent 8182 / Phi
Another great Friday offering from Phi. We always suspect a possible Nina with this sort of grid, especially from Phi, and lo and behold, there it is! (clockwise in the perimeter starting bottom … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic N° 25,836 by Picaroon
To solve this, I had to negotiate my way past an impressive array of diversionary tactics. Across 9. Opponent finished Old Course (9) ANTIPASTO An charade of ANTI (‘opponent’) plus PAST (‘finished’) plus … Read more >>
Guardian Christmas Prize No 25,826 by Araucaria
A characteristically allusive and wide- ranging puzzle for our Christmas delight, with much to appreciate in the 21 x 21 grid. As one might expect there was considerable ingenuity in some of the … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,201 by Alberich
Good morning, and a happy New Year to the lot of you! This was a challenging solve to start 2013 (the traditional thick New Year head-cold didn’t help): some pretty tortuous clueing, I … Read more >>
Guardian 25,835 / Paul
A classic Paul puzzle, brimming with clever, witty clues and ingenious constructions, providing several ahas and smiles while solving, along with – not surprisingly – a couple of lavatorial references. 16ac … Read more >>
Independent 8,181 / Nestor
The last time I was scheduled to blog a Nestor puzzle was the unfortunate occasion on which I confused my dates and someone had to step in and write a blog on my … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,195 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Dec 24 A proper crossword consists of a grid and a set of clues, right? Dante’s Christmas present had no grid (we were invited to fill in the blanks ourselves) while … Read more >>
Financial Times Christmas Crossword Set by Gozo
We were told that: “Each of the 26 pairs of clues leads to solutions beginning with the letter indicated. In each pair one of the clues leads to a thematic solution, though no … Read more >>