Guardian Prize No 25,634 by Paul
My turn to blog these prize puzzles seems to coincide with Paul’s turn to set them; I think that this is the third in a row. While continuing the trend for prize puzzles … Read more >>
Guardian 25,639 / Chifonie
A typically straightforward puzzle from Chifonie, with a preponderance of charade-type clues and insertions and a wide use of single-letter abbreviations. Chifonie is known for his smooth surfaces and there are some good … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,007 by Gurney
Very straightforward with lots of anagrams – couldn’t explain 9 across ACROSS 1 IN THE FIRST PLACE double definition 9 AS USUAL 10 CURRENT double definition 11 INDIE [w]INDIE[r] 12 TRAGEDIAN … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1158
Excellent. Long perimeter clues particularly nifty and the device used in 18a is classic ACROSS 1 Computer equipment dances behind tug TRACKERBALLS tug TRACKER dances BALLS 11 The French … Read more >>
Independent 7,985 / Phi
It’s Friday today so one is not surprised to find an example of Phi’s work to grapple with over breakfast. This was a puzzle of two halves for me in that I filled … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,006 by HAMILTON
This was absolute murder for me. For some reason – more to do with my weak brain than with the puzzle, I think – the whole east wing of this grid was a … Read more >>
Independent 7984 / Klingsor
Klingsor appears in The Independent every 5 to 6 weeks at the moment. Based on comments on this site and others, I assume his name is derived from the magician in Richard Wagner’s … Read more >>
Guardian 25,638 – Picaroon
A second outing for new setter Picaroon (first seen on 16th March), and another entertaining puzzle. He/she seems to have a rather distinctive style, but I can’t quite put my finger on exactly … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,997 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/May 7 Most Dante puzzles have at least one or two gems, but this one was rather standard – some might call it “typical Monday fare”. Not much to complain about, … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,996 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 5, 2012 While it sports a couple of fine clues — I would single out 11A (SADDLE-SORE) — I found this puzzle more of a … Read more >>
Independent 7983/Dac
Rather harder than the usual Dac I thought, with one or two words that were less than familiar. But, as always, the sort of thing he serves up week after week, with never … Read more >>
Sloggers and Betters (London) – 30th May
The annual lunch for Times setters is taking place on 30th 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 14,005 by Cinephile
Easy for some. Old timers with find this easy, more of a ‘write in’ than a solve. However, I would not say this is an easy crossword for everyone as there are some obscure words … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic N° 25,637 by Paul
This shows Paul’s characteristic inventiveness in wordplay; fortunately I seem to be close to his wavelength. Across 1. See 15 – See 15 4. Fiddle with good seafood (6) SCAMPI A charade of … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1228: Characters by Shark
Quite a lot going here, and a grade 4 workout. Five works by x to be discovered … Original letters in down misprinted definitions {novel} spell out the first. Replacing x‘s initials … Read more >>