Beelzebub 1,078 (17/10/10)
The pattern for me recently seems to be to make a good start and then get really, really stuck on the last couple of clues. This again happened here, with the NE corner … Read more >>
Independent 7495 (Sat 23-Oct) Nestor
The Indy’s Prize schedule and the blogging calendar have lately coincided so that more often than not I end up with Nestor. I find his crosswords a bit easier than the likes of … Read more >>
Guardian 25,149 (Sat 23 Oct)/Biggles – Jerk of fate
Solving time: 23 mins, one mistake (1dn) This tough puzzle was a mix of good and bad, with some really clever wordplay devices and elegant surfaces intermingled with clues for which the cryptic … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 937 – Upheaval by Raich
With ‘pencil recommended, at first’ and ‘upheaval’ threatened, I braced myself for some serious re-engineering of the grid post-solving…but in the end there was a relatively simple, but cleverly constructed, twist to the tale… … Read more >>
Independent 7500 / Anax
As usual from Anax, an enjoyable solve but for the first time I have a few quibbles about one of his puzzles (though this may be down to my not understanding the relevant … Read more >>
Independent 7,500/Anax – Sub needed
I couldn’t get a paper on the way to work this morning and I’m now doubtful of getting a lunch break too, so if anybody could step into the breach with a quick … Read more >>
Financial Times 13529 / Mudd
A pleasant solve. For me the right side fell first, then the bottom left and finally the top left. We do see a couple of ‘humorously entertaining’ clues for which this setter is … Read more >>
Guardian 25,154 – Logodaedalus
I can repeat almost verbatim the remarks I made about the Auster puzzle that I blogged last week: we haven’t seen Logodaedalus for a while, and this was a very easy puzzle with … Read more >>
Independent 7499/Klingsor
Klingsor is a fairly recent addition to The Independent team and I know I’ve done his crosswords before, but I couldn’t remember what they were like and didn’t know what to expect. This … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,528 / Falcon
A technically solid puzzle, but about as easy (and, in parts, uninspired) as the FT gets. In fact I solved all bar two of the Acrosses straight off the bat, which had the … Read more >>
Guardian 25,153 / Gordius
We found this quite tricky, at least in the time available to us. There are a couple we haven’t managed to parse as yet, so clarification very much welcome as always. Although there … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,519 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword on 18 October 2010 A very varied mixture of clues to tickle and entertain us. Quite fun to solve ACROSS 1 RUMPUS Cha of RUM (odd) PUS (puss or cat … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,518 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 16 A slightly more difficult than usual puzzle from Cincinnus with a typical offering of fine clues. My choice ones this time are 23A (AEROSMITH), … Read more >>
Guardian 25,152 / Araucaria
A satisfying and fairly easy puzzle today from Araucaria, but with enough tricky bits to make writing the post a challenge 🙂 (To give credit where it’s due, my partner filled in about half … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,527 / Cinephile
A pleasant start to the day with a typical themed puzzle from Cinephile containing ‘E’ in many clues. The ‘E’ stood for Europe (except in 25ac) and the answers to these clues are … Read more >>