Guardian 25288 / Brummie
Brummie is one who can tantalise and amuse but his Guardian offerings are quite tame. I wish he would introduce more of his Cyclopic style here but then the Eye wouldn’t be unique, … Read more >>
Independent 7633 by Quixote
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism A warm welcome to Quixote, who is switching from the IOS to a regular Monday slot in the weekday paper. This was very much … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 594 / Pan
A puzzle well-suited to the Quiptic genre. A few nice clues but nothing out of the ordinary. All definitions given are from Chambers 11th Edition. Most of the standard abbreviations used in the … Read more >>
Guardian 25,287 – Rufus
The usual straightforward Monday Rufus offering. There are perhaps slightly fewer cryptic definitions than sometimes, and I can’t summon up much enthusiasm for those that there are; I’m also not keen on a … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,101 (27/03/11)
This one, though not unduly tough, kept me busy for some time as I picked at it over the course of the week. I think this is the highest number of clues I’ve … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1102: Independent on Sunday 1102: Quixote signs off
The final puzzle in a very long run from Quixote, who will now make appearances in the daily Independent. Thanks to him for so many sound and accessible puzzles. Across 1 DURESS Outside … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3365 (27th March)
Lorraine: Good morning one and all. Straight forward Everyman this week with some very enjoyable clues. Big thank you to Everyman. Across 1. Right to go after bankrupt agent (6) BROKER R after BROKE(bankrupt) … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 93 by Paul
In the preamble we were told that seven clues require ill-advised exchanges before solutions are entered in the grid. The resulting solutions are non-words. In these seven clues, the definitions (indicated by the … Read more >>
Azed 2026: Plain
An Azed of mixed difficulty this week — I managed most of it on a train, but needed the help of Chambers for some of the more obscure words. Across 1 CRAB-YAWS Skin … Read more >>
Independent 7626 by Bannsider (Saturday Prize Puzzle 26 March 2011)
No fancy themes, or ninas, from Bannsider this week – or at least none that I could find! Just a good old-fashioned hard mental workout for a Saturday morning. Oh, and a bit of … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No 959 Hobson’s Choice by Jaques
Well – what is the Hobson’s choice of the title to be this week to complete it or to complete it? A fairly standard preamble – additional letters in the subsidiary quotation lead … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 25,280 by Paul
Themed puzzles are coming thick and fast these days, and the theme in this one seemed to occupy most of the grid. As always, some will enjoy this type of crossword more than others. … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,657 / Alberich
A very fine crossword that I wish I could have solved and relished at a more leisurely pace – I’m late with the blog and have rushed through! Alberich is at his best … Read more >>
Independent 7631 by Nimrod
On Monday Gaufrid wrote: It was something of a surprise to see Phi on a Monday, Eimi must have something interesting lined up for April 1st Oh dear he was right, seems the … Read more >>
Guardian 25,285 / Puck
A characteristically inventive and intricate puzzle from Puck, with lots of very nice clues. This puzzle has one of those themes which is more like a chain of associations running through the clues … Read more >>