Enigmatic Variations No 943 Upstarts by Nudd
So not a misprint in sight this week – just seven undefined, but clued, answers to be determined, then find a cryptic observation hidden in the grid and then write the author under the … Read more >>
Independent 7536 – Phi
Friday with Phi and all’s well. Surprisingly few clues in this, grid suggested nina but I can’t see anything or an obvious theme. The usual mix of nice anagrams and wordplay though. Across … Read more >>
Guardian 25,190 / Boatman
I had somewhat mixed feelings about this puzzle – the surface readings are very nice and there are plenty of inventive and entertaining constructions. However, there are some rather tricky subtractive elements, in … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,565 / Bradman
An uncomplicated, enjoyable grid. I am a fan of the way Bradman constructs fresh and elegant clue surfaces with even basic wordplay, such as 21a and 2d. My favourites today are 26a, 3d. … Read more >>
Independent 7,535 by Tees
I’ve just discovered that tomorrow, it will be exactly two years since I started blogging here, so many thanks to everyone who has commented and helped me out in that time. Coincidentally, due … Read more >>
Guardian 25,189 / Araucaria
I think this puzzle might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed it, once I got started. 3dn was the first themed answer I got, before solving 25,22, so I went … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,564 / Alberich
Much like a Spurs game in the Champions League, seeing Alberich’s name appear above the grid is always a mouth-watering prospect. And somehow, just like ‘Arry’s boys, the subsequent entertainment levels rarely fall … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,555 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword on 29 November 2010 Quite an entertaining way to start the week ACROSS 1 PUNCTURE cd what is called a puncture in the UK is referred to as a flat … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,554 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 27 A merely excellent Cincinnus on this occasion. But with one clue whose working I do not understand (24A, TORSO). It is especially rare that … Read more >>
Financial Times 13563 / GOZO – Car-ried away
A thematic puzzle from Gozo to grapple with today, although he does not keep us guessing as to what that theme might be: multiple references to car firms and models tell us that … Read more >>
Independent 7,534/Dac
2 Dacs on the bounce for me after his move to Thursday last week. I don’t have a problem with this! Most of this went in fairly quickly, but there were a few … Read more >>
Guardian 25,188 – Orlando
I generally find Orlando’s puzzles quite easy going, but I struggled more than usual with this one. I finished the bottom half quite quickly, then the NE corner rather less so, with the … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1154, Belt up by Meissa
At first glance the rubric seemed pretty complicated, involving words entered normally, as anagrams and in unlocated places in the grid. A quick look at the “Unlocated” clues gave me AIT for the first … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,562 / Dante
Apologies to all — I filled in the grid to this last night, posted it as a draft meaning to complete the blog this morning, got busy at work and forgot all about … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,084 (28/11/10)
Despite a relatively sprightly start, this became quite a tough one to blog, with a lot of obscure terms knocking about. In the end I think I’ve almost explained things, with a few … Read more >>