Never knowingly undersolved
Another very approachable puzzle this week, which we finished in good time and without having to reach for any books, with the exception of ‘Bargee’, which was new to us (at least in … Read more >>
Azed 2005 – Plain This was a pretty straightforward puzzle, done in 40 minutes, with Chambers only used for the last two answers – 26, which I should have got on my own, … Read more >>
Mostly straightforward; a couple of plant names which are reasonably common, but which might give trouble to those who are non compost mentis (apologies all round). Notably smooth surfaces. ACROSS 1 STRIFE Charade … Read more >>
Solving time: 12 mins The last 3 minutes of this, at least, were on 6dn (CHATELAINE) which I found much the hardest clue, although if I’d solved this a month ago it would … Read more >>
The first line of a verse and a 6-letter word are to be identified and highlighted here with the help of four unclued entries. There has been the occasional discussion at the Crossword … Read more >>
Phi was hard at work in the Independent last Saturday. He compiled the Inquisitor as well as the Saturday Prize Puzzle. I found this a slightly easier puzzle than many of Phi’s previous offerings. … Read more >>
Hands up who didn’t see a themed crossword coming today! Still, it’s never a chore to blog a Radian puzzle, and this was a very good one. Unfortunately, time pressures mean that I … Read more >>
I’ve had a soft spot for Orlando since my first blog, which was a very enjoyable crossword of his, and I always enjoy his more frequent Cincinnus puzzles in the FT. Today he … Read more >>
Today is Diwali in India. On this festival day I am shortly going out to greet my sisters and brothers who live in other parts of Chennai. This crossword was a quick and … Read more >>
Not a desperately tricky puzzle on the whole, but an enjoyable romp. I ground to a complete standstill on my final grid entry (27A), but finally had a flash of inspiration just when … Read more >>
Phi gets bumped from his usual Friday slot for the second week running, this time hopefully to make way for a Bonfire Night/Diwali special tomorrow! This was the usual high quality, neatly clued, … Read more >>
A moderately tricky Araucaria with some interestingly linked clues and a lot of amusement as always. There are also quite a few of his characteristic liberties, which I’ve noted in the comments below. … Read more >>
Monday Prize Crossword on 25 October 2010 Unfortunately, someone made a small error in the grid resulting in the first and last Across answers not fitting the extra space provided. This also played … Read more >>
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 23 This strikes me as a rather pedestrian puzzle. I particularly like 23A (ARC) and 16D (DOWNSTAIRS). Across 9. CASTOR OIL – O (old) in … Read more >>
Enjoyable puzzle today with nothing too difficult and a cute mini-theme. Across 1 TIEBACK TIE=”match” + BACK=”second” 5,8 NUCLEAR REACTION “He commonly”=>’E + EQUALS EMCEE SQUARED, which describes the mass-energy equivalence demonstrated by … Read more >>