Independent 7508 by Tees
Quite a tough puzzle which I enjoyed. Made fairly quick progress at the start but then it got much harder esp in the lower half of the grid. Solving time, 44 mins. * … Read more >>
Guardian 25,162 / Rufus
From today, there is a slight change to the Guardian blogger team, with a three week cycle for most bloggers, except Uncle Yap who continues as a Tuesday regular. I’ve blogged quite a … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic no. 573 by Nutmeg
I found this one more difficult than many a Guardian Cryptic. Several of the entries seemed at first to have far too much clue for the answer, which is generally a sign that … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 429 – Gothic Crackpot
Lovely stuff as usual. Nothing too tricky or unexplained this time. Pleasant solve over a couple of pints. I noted I had 9 unsolved when starting pint number two. Across 8/16 ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1081 by Quixote – 31st October 2010
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 2,005
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 >>
Everyman 3,344
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 >>
Guardian 25,155 (Sat 30 Oct)/Araucaria – Pen Elaine
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 >>
Enigmatic Variations 938: Worse than Swine Flu by Syd Lexis
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 >>
Independent Saturday Prize Puzzle 7501 by Phi – Saturday 30 October 2010
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 >>
Independent 7,506 by Radian
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 >>
Guardian 25,160 / Orlando
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 >>
Financial Times 13,535 / Orense
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 >>
Financial Times 13,534 / Flimsy
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 >>
Independent 7,505/Phi
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 >>