Notably simple constructions here, but one, 11A, I only got by the skin of my teeth.
Interview with Roger Squires
There’s a nice interview with Roger Squires, aka Rufus and Dante, on Shuchi’s Crossword Unclued blog.
Inquisitor 1201: A Prime Example by Nutmeg
The preamble stated "To reveal the prime example solvers should follow instructions spelt out by single extra letters yielded by the wordplay in each clue in order. Two answers are abbreviations; ignore two … Read more >>
Guardian 25,475 – Enigmatist
Some typically tricky stuff here from Enigmatist, who we haven’t seen for a while, but as always very clever, and satisfying to solve. There were quite a few clues where I guessed the … Read more >>
Financial Times 13845 Phssthpok
I found today’s difficult (as any Guardian or Indy cryptic). Starting was easy enough with the NW quarter quickly filled in, but the other 3 put up quite a struggle. For some time, … Read more >>
Independent 7820/Anax
An easier, certainly less daunting, than usual offering from Anax, with the usual assortment of quite brilliant clues. He has produced a rather weird crossword in which eight of the clues 1/3 across. … Read more >>
Guardian 25,474 – Gordius
Quite a grind but a good and entertaining workout for me. As to be expected in a Gordius, some obscure and esoteric references ACROSS 7 BELSTONE *(BEEN LOST) The Belstone Fox is a 1976 … Read more >>
Independent 7819 by Phi
Regular Indy solvers will know Phi appears weekly, usually on a Friday. This week he’s on Monday. The usual excellent puzzle, which I found a little harder than normal from Phi. Quite a … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic N° 25,473 by Rufus
A particularly straightforward start to the week from Rufus.
Sloggers and Betters (Midlands) 3 – Update
Only a couple of weeks to go now before the Sloggers and Betters lunch at Waterfall in Derby on Saturday 26th November, so just an update for everyone who’s indicated they’re coming, and … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 455 – 50 Not out
50th Anniversary of the Eye and I was half-hoping for a special Cyclops. What did I get? A relatively easy crossie made hard by being printed in the fuzziest print I’ve seen since … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1132
7 across was a cerebral stretch …. and 19 across not in Chambers … splendid clueing ACROSS 1 Sky cataloguer reduced 40 per cent of stars – most out of order MESSIEST … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 100 / Paul
Had I known that I was going to end up covering this puzzle I would have written the blog immediately after solving it. As it is, a month has gone by and my … Read more >>
Azed No 2057
A very enjoyable puzzle this week, which I polished off on Sunday afternoon. There are two splendid & lit clues, as well as two hidden answers, both for rather longer words than usual. … Read more >>
Everyman 3396/30 October 2011
A bit of a chewy one from Everyman today, I thought. Some words where I had to look up the meaning to be certain of my answer, and some stuff that people who … Read more >>