Beelzebub 1,165
Pretty much a mid-paced week in terms of difficulty, I think. Lots of unfamiliar terms to work out, so very satisfying to polish off. I think everything made sense, though I’m not 100% … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,167 by Raich
Great stuff as always from Raich. I found a couple of terms slightly unfamiliar, such as at 10ac and 5dn, but in all cases the wordplay was unambiguous. I didn’t spot any themes … Read more >>
Azed 2091/ Plain Competition Puzzle
This was a standard competition puzzle from AZED. None of the entries were particularly difficult to parse. As is the case with many of AZED‘s puzzle there was a determined raid on words … Read more >>
Everyman 3430 – 1 July 2012
The Trafites are on a well-earned holiday this week – I trust I can be a worthy substitute… The nice thing about blogging a puzzle is that one has to spend a bit more … Read more >>
Independent Crossword 8022 by ANAX (Saturday Prize Puzzle 30-06-2012)
So my first blog of an Anax puzzle – should be fun and hopefully have a theme, or even two and a good few chuckles along the way? Indeed it was fun (and … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1024: Two Drifters by Nudd
Phew…this was enough to drive a man to drink…(well, this man, anyway)…fiendish preamble, tricky devices and tough clues – with maybe a modicum of encouragement in the definition part of 35A – ‘…this can be resolved‘. … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 25,676 by Shed
I liked this very much, some really great clues, so many it would be unfair to pick a favourite. But I will anyway: 26 across it is. On the whole I found this … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,049 by Loroso
This puzzle is witty, delightful and outside any box Across 1 THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER (IE MERCHANTMAN THEREFORE IN IT)* 12 DWEEB (nerd) D (date) WEE (little) … Read more >>
Guardian 25,681 – Chifonie
This felt a bit harder than a typical Chifonie, as if the clue structures were rather more involved than usual, though looking down the list of explanations there’s actually nothing very complicated. There … Read more >>
Independent 8027 / Phi
Phi ‘s puzzles often show that he has different leisure and reading interests to me – today we have reference to films, history, art, poetry, religion and birds. I have only a superficial … Read more >>
Independent 8026/Rorschach
So far as I know Rorschach is a new name to crosswords, although I suppose it might be an amalgam of other setters. At first sight, with its references to Bob Marley and a … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,048 by GAFF
The theme at 14ac. took me a little time to crack, and even once I’d got it this was by no means plain sailing. Perhaps I’m just a bit rusty. But it was … Read more >>
Guardian 25,680 – Enigmatist
Enjoyed this, with some easier solutions providing much-needed crossers to help with several tricky clues at the end. Favourites today were 12ac and 18ac. Across 1, 5 EXCUSE MY FRENCH =”pardonnez-moi” (r[evitalise] c[rêperie] … Read more >>
Financial Times Prize 14, 039 by Crux
Monday Prize Crossword number 14,039 by Crux I found this considerably trickier than my previous Crux for some reason. My last FT blog for now as Sil has now returned and I now return … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,038 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 23 I found a good challenge in this Mudd. My favourite clues are 6D (TRADESMAN) and 26D (CABER). There is something in the wordplay of … Read more >>