Azed 2073
As ever with Azed, the puzzle gave the solver an opportunity to wander far and wide through the pages of Chambers. Some of the solutions and parts of wordplay were words that I … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 104 – Tramp
I made rather heavy weather of this one, needing several sessions over the month to finish it. Even with some lucky guessing it took me a while to get the full “ennobling instruction” … Read more >>
Independent 7,914 by Phi (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 25/02/12)
When Phi didn’t appear in the Independent during the week, it seemed likely that we’d be tackling one of his puzzles when Saturday came, and so it was. One probably couldn’t describe this … Read more >>
Guardian 25,568 / Paul
I count myself very lucky to have a third Paul in a row to post about! As usual, this was lots of fun, with a good amount of surprising definitions and intricate wordplay. … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1006 Connecting Flight by Moordon
Well a short preamble – completely straight clues and just five unclued entries. Sounds like this could be one for the less experienced to try. And an unfamiliar compiler, to me, anyway. Nine … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,942 by Alberich
Pretty smooth ride today but satisfying – nifty trickery with some proper nouns ACROSS 1 POPLAR P[erish] in POLAR 4 SYLLABUS SYLLABUB with second B(baron) changed to S(special) 9 CARROT … Read more >>
Independent 7919 / Phi
The usual good clueing that you come to expect from Phi. One of us struggled with the anagram for 1a, which was very strange given that this is the real name of the … Read more >>
The Guardian No 25,573 by Orlando
I was surprise to see Orlando’s name as the setter for a Friday crossword, as he’s generally considered one of the more accessible authors, and this puzzle certainly was so. Only one explanation … Read more >>
Financial Times no. 13,941 by FALCON
I find myself stumped by two cities this morning, at 3dn. and 26ac. Otherwise, I enjoyed this – solid stuff, and the ccasional burst of inspiration. ACROSS 1. TAKES ISSUE Takes [scenes] + … Read more >>
Guardian 25,572 / Paul
This is Paul on the very top of his form, I think. Many thanks, Paul, for all the fun! Across 1 WINDBAG: WIND [gas] BAG [reversal – ‘back’] of GAB – talk] 5 … Read more >>
Independent 7,918 / Mordred
I have only previously blogged one Mordred puzzle, and my blog on that day concluded as follows: “Overall, I think that Mordred made a mere mortal such as me work a little bit … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,932 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Feb 20 Another good puzzle by last week’s Birthday Child. Actually, I found this crossword a lot more satisfying than Rufus’ Guardian puzzle (also published Feb 20) which I thought wasn’t … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,931 by Cinephile
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 18, 2012 It helps to know some British new towns for this puzzle. I was well aware of Milton Keynes but, while I had heard … Read more >>
A BIG “THANK YOU” FROM RUFUS
The last ten days have been very busy, and very enjoyable, for me, and so many people have taken time and effort to make it so. From the February 18th surprise party at … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,940 by Monk
I found this quite difficult, but ultimately a very satisfying solve. Thank you Monk. There were lots of good clues, my favourites being 12 across (for the surface), 18 across (which had me completely baffled for a while), 5 … Read more >>