Guardian 25,114 – Rufus
I found this a bit harder to finish than the average Rufus, though looking back there’s nothing particularly difficult about it. There are fewer cryptic definitions than usual; generally lot of nice, if … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 425 – Erudite Mystery
Another excellent crossword from our resident setter with no depth to his vision – presumably that’s why he concentrates on the clue’s surface. Across 7 GOVERNMENT G (A large sum) OVER (surplus) [brow]N … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1073 by Quixote – 5th September 2010
A smooth and speedy solve this week, with only 24ac leaving us scratching our heads for a bit. The anagram at 15ac was enjoyable, as was the switch from the verb to the … Read more >>
Azed 1997
I found this another reasonably easy Azed – I managed to finish all but a couple of clues in about an hour without using references. Lots of good stuff as always, with the … Read more >>
Everyman 3336
A pretty fair one this week with far fewer anagrams than the one I blogged last. I don’t like the stutter in 11ac as it seams a dull and obvious way to add … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 930: Kindred by Syd Lexis
Hurrah! There are no extra letters or clashes to contend with in this puzzle, so thanks to Syd for that. It makes writing the blog so much easier. Instead there are three ‘Cluster’ … Read more >>
Guardian 25,107 (Sat 4 Sep)/Shed
Very short on time so a rapid blog this week – apologies for the brevity. Solving time not taken as I used a dictionary and also interspersed solving with blogging to get the … Read more >>
Independent 7453 by Bannsider (Sat 4 September)
I found this very difficult, I think – I didn’t manage to record my solving time. The grid has 6 15-letter answers, and most of these were used for phrases that you don’t … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,487 / Aardvark
The confidence that the first two Across clues gave me soon vanished as I progressed with this crossword. This was a slow solve with aids needed to check on the slang and music … Read more >>
Guardian 25,112 / Gordius
Pretty straightforward fare from Gordius, with just one or two quibbles, as usual with this setter. There is one explanation that eludes me: I’m ready to kick myself when enlightened! Across 8 ALBERICH: … Read more >>
Independent 7,458 by Punk
I think after Phi popped up on Tuesday, it was anybody’s guess who we’d be doing battle with today. In the end it was Punk, who we haven’t seen for a little while. … Read more >>
Crossword Who’s Who
Those of you interested in some background information about setters and other people, past and present, connected with crosswords may wish to visit the new Crossword Who’s Who.
Independent 7,457/Morph
Always a pleasure to get a Morph puzzle, and I don’t say that just because I know he’ll be reading this. There’s always a good dose of humour in his puzzles and some … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,071 (29/08/10)
I think this was the toughest Beelzebub I can remember for some time, though I made it harder by entering one or two wrong answers early on. Even so it took a fair … Read more >>
Guardian 25,111 – Araucaria
My second Araucaria in a row, and quite a tricky one, with some devious wordplay. Some may complain at the theme of girl groups, but I knew all the names involved (apart from … Read more >>