Azed 2051
An exceptionally tough Azed this week, with a very high proportion of unfamiliar and downright obscure words. A knowledge of French was required for a couple of clues as well. I confess to … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1127 18 September 2011/Nitsy
You’ll have to put up with me twice today, I’m afraid, since as well as the Everyman, I’m doing my first IoS blog. I won’t comment on the difficulty level, since I’m not … Read more >>
Everyman 3390/19 September 2011
Another gentle but pleasing Sunday morning stroll with Everyman. dd double definition cd cryptic definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed Across 1 Cigarette butt’s gone out, pocketed by … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 25,430 / Araucaria
If I hadn’t seen the name on this puzzle, I think I’d have been rather hard put to it to guess that it was an Araucaria, let alone a Prize [though the appearance … Read more >>
Independent 7776 by Bannsider (Saturday Prize Puzzle 17 September 2011)
No fancy themes or ninas/Ninas from Bannsider this week (or, at least, none that I could see) – just an enjoyable mental work-out for a Saturday morning – and a bit of Saturday … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.984 – Practically Worthless by Lato
On a first reading, the preamble doesn’t give one a lot to go on: “Though they’re far from alone, seven unclued answers according to two others (taken as a pair) 9, which might … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,806 / Loroso
Many delightful solving moments today. The puzzle opened with the line “Definitions in all across clues have something in common”, which was easy enough to decipher. I started with 8a and wondered how … Read more >>
Guardian 25,435 / Araucaria
When I agreed to stand in today I was hoping that I would be solving a puzzle that I could get my teeth into and I have not been disappointed. My progress was … Read more >>
Independent 7781/Phi
As usual a very nice crossword from Phi. Nothing very controversial I think. With Z, J and V clearly visible I suspected a pangram, but I can’t see a Q or an X. Across 8 … Read more >>
Financial Times no.13,805 by SLEUTH
Not at my brightest this morning, despite the sunshine; this took me ten minutes longer than it really should have. A boozy little number from Sleuth: not hugely inspired, but neat enough. And it’s … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 25434 Chifonie
Thanks Chifonie for a not too difficult, but nevertheless enjoyable, puzzle. I liked 14A, 2D and 20D for their surfaces. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Hidden connections are in 2 of the … Read more >>
Independent 7780 by Tees
Last time I got Tees he set a triple pangram, not this time but I found this to be a stern test in places, rather tricky indeed… Definitions underlined in clues, as ever … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,796 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Sep 12 Are there any other average solvers out there who thought this Dante crossword was somewhat harder than usual? If not, then it is obviously my problem. I could only … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,795 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of September 10 Cincinnus is back with some fine clues in this puzzle. There are, however, aspects of wordplay in two clues (17A and 7D) that I … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,804 by Aardvark
Good stuff from Aardvark, with one clue that I am unable to solve. Can anyone help? Any help on 17 across gratefully appreciated. Hold mouse over clue number to see clue. Across 1 … Read more >>