Genius 81 by Paul
It’s nearly a year since I blogged a Genius and it clearly hasn’t got any easier. This one took me an age to get into, but eventually I got a chink of light … Read more >>
Guardian 24,969 (Sat 27 Mar)/Pasquale – Dead Poets’ Society
Solving time: 14 mins The eight answers referred to in the preamble as being clued without definition are all poets, and as suggested by 8dn they appear in the ‘corners’ of the puzzle. … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 907 – The End of Term by Gioconda
The End of term – A shortish preamble indicating corrections to be applied to definitions and modifications to the other answers before grid entry. Would this puzzle raise an enigmatic smile – Gioconda? … Read more >>
Guardian 24974 / Chifonie
An enjoyable puzzle, with an easy ways in through some obvious anagrams. I have a few quibbles or questions, mentioned below, however. (Apologies for the late post – I’d forgotten I was meant … Read more >>
Independent 7320 by Phi
Themed puzzle, based on 6 across, solving time 23 mins. A few words unfamiliar to me that I was able to work out from the clear and fair wordplay. * = anagram < … Read more >>
Independent 7,315 by Bannsider (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 27/03/10)
Another solve of two halves for me, racing away to start with, then grinding to a halt on the last few. The SE gave me the most grief, with 22 and 24 defeating … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,349 / Bradman
A pity that today’s puzzle decided to do an online impersonation of the Scarlet Pimpernel, as it’s worthy of a broader audience than it’ll probably end up receiving. If anything, some answers in … Read more >>
Independent 7,319 by Nimrod
One doesn’t tend to expect a Nimrod to be easy, but this was perhaps tougher than usual. Fortunately, the Nina on the top and bottom rows made itself evident fairly early on, and … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1050 by Quixote 28th March 2010
Very much a game of two halves this one: figuratively, in that we completed most of it within twenty minutes, but then spent as long again on the remainder; and also literally, in … Read more >>
Guardian 24,973 / Paul
I was rather apprehensive at being down to blog today, especially when I saw Paul’s name on the puzzle. After completing the grid, I stared at it but, apart from CLOT leaping out … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1118 – Mine by Charybdis
A pleasant puzzle from Charybdis – nothing too taxing. I finished this in one sitting on the Saturday evening of publication. When the preamble mentioned Latin I groaned a bit. Foreign languages are … Read more >>
Cryptic Crossword Survey – Participants needed
Kathryn Friedlander and Philip Fine, at the University of Buckingham, are launching an on-line survey to investigate the cognitive skills, motivation and development of expertise of those who tackle cryptic crosswords. They are … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,340 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword on 22 March 2010 Dante is back with another light and easy week-opener. As usual, he impressed with his slick construction and smooth surfaces. I wonder whether 16Across can be … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,339 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 20 A specially good puzzle from Mudd this time. I like 9A, 15A, 23A, 5D and 14D. Across 1. COMPASS – M (male) in COP … Read more >>
Independent 7,318/Dac
More brilliance from Dac. As good a set of clues as I’ve seen in a long while, although he’s stumped me on 15D! Across 1 SEPTET – PT. in SEE + T(enor) 4 … Read more >>