Guardian Quiptic 642 / Arachne
I always look forward to Quiptics by Arachne (and Orlando), so today is a lucky day. This is an excellent puzzle with many of those clues that make you smile. Most of the … Read more >>
Cyclops 463
As Cyclops puzzles go, I thought this was pretty straightforward — none of those stubborn clues that hold you up once you have solved everything else. As usual, plenty of witty surface readings … Read more >>
Independent 7921 by Phi
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism Phi has been quite busy in the Indy recently, setting Friday’s and Monday’s puzzles as well as a few recent prize puzzles. I found … Read more >>
Guardian 25,575 – Rufus
Classic Rufus fare today, with five cryptic definitions and a few doubles. No naval references that I can see (unless you count 15d), but perhaps a wave to one of my fellow bloggers … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1149: Poins
Apologies for the late posting. As usual from Poins, a not-too-difficult puzzle with some nice twists in the surface reading. If someone could fully explain 6d, I would be grateful (and I will … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3412 (26th February)
Lorraine: Good morning to you all, Well that will teach me for saying in my last blog how easy it was as this weeks offering was a bit of a struggle, big thanks … Read more >>
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 >>