I found this mostly straightforward.
Guardian 25,810 – Pasquale
It has been a long time since I last blogged The Don who remains faithfully Ximenean and fair in his clues. Today’s offering is just as entertaining and delightful as expected. This weekend, … Read more >>
Important Announcement
In view of the problems experienced recently (slow/no access), and the similar situation at the beginning of the year, I have signed up with a new hosting company today. I am aiming to have the site transferred to the new server on Sunday (9th Dec). At this stage I do not know how long this will take but there is bound to be some downtime, however I will try to ensure that this is kept to a minimum.
Getting a better level of service and support obviously comes at a price. Since its inception the annual hosting and domain name renewal costs for Fifteensquared have been met by Neil Wellard, the site’s founder and former administrator. I do not think it is reasonable to expect him to dip further into his pocket for the benefit of us, the site’s users, so I am therefore seeking donations towards the hosting costs.
Independent 8155 by Rorschach
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism I struggled to get into this pop culture-heavy offering and thought one or two of the clues were pretty tricky (especially 1 across). There … Read more >>
Guardian 25,809 – Rufus
Gentle start to the week from Rufus. 7 and 13 made me smile. Across 1 ORANGE-TIP =”Butterfly” [wiki] (operating)* 6 BAIT =”lure” IT=”sex appeal” after BA=”degree” 8 SCHOONER =”vessel” as in boat &lit … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic N° 681 by Nutmeg
An excellent crossword from Nutmeg, with a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (all of the Disney dwarfs are there) theme in full view in the clues.
Independent on Sunday 1,188/Hypnos
A reasonably gentle but very enjoyable offering from Hypnos with plenty of clue types on show and some nicely clued proper names. Favourite clue was 17A, which I only worked out as I … Read more >>
Everyman 3451/25 November
Perhaps a more tricky Everyman than usual, but I’m interested to know what others think … Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 113 / Crucible
We hadn’t done a Guardian Genius for a while, but did this one since I was down on the rota for doing a blog post on it. I’m very glad about this in … Read more >>
Azed 2112
The first thing that struck me about this puzzle was the unusually open grid, with wide open unbarred spaces, especially in the NE and SW corners. The two 13-letter across answers have only … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1045: Musical Idol By Lato
The annual-ish EV outing for Lato this week, and no extra/missing letters/words or misprints to look out for. Instead there were just nine unclued entries, each suggested in one of two ways by … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Crossword No 25,802 by Paul
This puzzle kept my solving partner Timon and I pleasantly occupied on a very wet Saturday afternoon, but we couldn’t adequately explain a couple of the clues. I think that I have managed … Read more >>
Independent 8148 (Sat 24-November 2012) Tees
I always like puzzles by Tees and there was plenty to appreciate here: A wide range of clue devices, Offbeat references within suitable surfaces, Cheeky theme. There were a few obscurities that required looking … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,175 by Bradman
Masterly Across 1 ARACHNOPHOBE (like Miss Muffet) (CHA CHA OR IN BOP)* 9 ALOOFLY (keeping apart from) LOO (toilet) in A FLY (insect) 10 RAINBOW (array of colours) … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1186
A real vocabulary enhancer Across 1 Like grapevines, possibly making four figures FRUGIFEROUS (fruit-bearing) (FOUR FIGURES)* 10 Top money secured by expert ACME M (money) in ACE (expert) 11 Horse … Read more >>