Financial Times 13,483 / Orense (Mon 6 Sept)
For some reason unbeknown to me, Uncle Yap hasn’t posted his scheduled blog so here is an analysis of the clues. No commentary from me because I cannot remember back to the beginning … Read more >>
Guardian 25,117 / Araucaria
On the first run through this, I put in only two or three answers and thought I was in for a hard slog. However, once I found a few more, it all flowed … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,492 – Sleuth
Something of a comme ci, comme ca puzzle. Some plaudit-worthy surfaces and definitions, but also some pretty low-hanging fruit. Across 1 QUICKFIRE – this clue put me in mind of the motor-mouthed sergeant … Read more >>
Independent 7,463 by Scorpion
It’s Thursday, it’s Scorpion and it’s a theme about which I know very little, so this had me very worried for a while. In the end this was a remarkably quick solve, although … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,482 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of September 4 This Mudd was a bit more difficult for me than most, especially 16A (TIPTOP), 30A (EVENSONG), 3D (NARK) and 26D (ACER). My favourite clue … Read more >>
Independent 7,462/Dac
I never got round to tackling yesterday’s Tees, and I guess today’s puzzle would have come as a relief to those that did. As to whether or not it was any good? It’s … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,491 / Cinephile
It’s Wednesday and we are overdue a themed puzzle from the good Rev. An enjoyable themed puzzle today which would probably have been easier for those who watched ‘The Blue Planet’ series or … Read more >>
Guardian 25,116 – Orlando
Good morning. We found this a well-rounded and enjoyable puzzle at the easier end of the scale, with plenty of neat wordings. One of the notable features today was how well the surfaces … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1142: Jeffrey by Loda
There are 13 definition-only answers, leading to thematic entries (“all reel [sic] words”). The remaining clues each have an extra word, letters 1 & 3 of which spell a quotation; the author’s … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,490 / Armonie
The following analysis was kindly supplied by John D French in comment #1, who remarked “Ah! The advantage of FT paper”. Many thanks John. Gaufrid. Agentzero originally posted the following placeholder: “The link on … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,072 (05/09/10)
I made heavy work of this one, I’m afraid. There remain a few that I still can’t explain. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Across 1 CONCAUSE – CONC + A … Read more >>
Guardian 25115 – Crucible, A Severe Test
I have always thought crucible is a container used in the science laboratory and the name of a famous venue for snookers in Sheffield, Yorkshire. This morning, I looked up Chambers which told … Read more >>
Independent 7461/Tees
An incredibly difficult offering from Tees today. Incredibly difficult, so far as I’m concerned, anyway. I can just imagine all those people logging on to this blog in the hope that they can … Read more >>
Independent 7460 by Glow-worm
Pleasing puzzle which I found not too difficult, the 15-letter answers around the perimeter yielded quite quickly, solving time 18 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 1 MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD Double definition 9 SUSS OUT USS … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 565 by Nutmeg
Mostly straightforward, with a few less usual definitions, and a couple of more elaborate wordplays Across 1 BEEF UP Reversal (‘setback’) of FEE (“what’s earned’) in PUB (‘bar’). 5 AUBRETIA Charade of AUBRE[y] … Read more >>