Inquisitor 1143 – Chill-Out by Charybdis
We were told that single extra letters in each clue’s wordplay spell out a quotation and its author. Three illustrative examples (4), 36(8) and 40(8) are basic; three (9), (7) and (5) form … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,496 / Phssthopk
Nothing too tough here, except that the explanation for 3 down eludes me. 5 down was amusing, and many of the clues had fine surfaces. Across 1 MARSHLANDS MARS (alien planet) H (hard) … Read more >>
Independent 7,467/Anax
Apologies for the late blog. I wasn’t expecting to see Anax though mercifully this didn’t turn out to be quite as tricksy as some previous offerings from this very entertaining and talented setter. … Read more >>
Guardian 25121 – What Shall We Do With The Drunken Boatman
When, as usual, I quickly read through all the clues before I start solving, I could not help but notice a common thread of drinks and drunks; just my cup of tea, if … Read more >>
Independent 7466 by Eimi
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism A typically excellent puzzle from the crossword editor which has a NINA referring to a group I’d never heard of. The group itself also … Read more >>
Azed 2000 lunch – spare ticket
Turning a comment from Don Manley on a certain other blog into a posting, there’s an auction in progress for a spare ticket for the Azed lunch in Oxford this Saturday – see … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 566 / Pan
A relatively straightforward solve for my first review on this site. Not one of my favourite puzzles, but only one or two minor niggles. All definitions given are from Chambers 11th Edition. Most … Read more >>
Guardian 25,120 / Rufus
A nice puzzle to start the week with. There are three clues which have rather tricky words in them (9a, 3d and 7d) but otherwise I think this should have been pretty straightforward. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1074 by Quixote – 12th September 2010
We made rather heavy work of this one, and had to resort to aids to get the last couple (21ac and 6dn). There were lots of very well worded clues here, and that’s … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3337 (12th September)
Lorraine: Nice puzzle to solve this week, nothing to taxing for a Sunday morning. Should Otello in 4 across be Othello? Thanks Everyman. Legend to solution comments: * = anagram. < = word … Read more >>
Azed 1998 = 2000 – 2
By swapping blog duty with Peter, I think I accidentally managed to avoid Azed 2000 which I suspect will be more than the run-of-the-mill challenge. Across 1 S(PUDDING)IN – initial drilling of a … Read more >>
Independent 7,459 by Anax (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 11/09/10)
After last month’s exceedingly tricky Anax puzzle, I was a little worried about this one, but it turned out to be a lot more manageable. No obvious theme, but a pangrammatic grid, if … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,073 (12/09/10)
After a few weeks of struggling, thankfully a more tractable puzzle this week. I think I managed all but a few unaided, checked all but one of the remainder in dictionaries before entry, … Read more >>
Guardian 25,113 (Sat 11 Sep)/Paul – Optimised
Solving time: 8½ mins Excellent stuff from Paul with an impressive grid and virtually faultless clueing. 27ac (GENE POOL) was perhaps my favourite. Music of the day: sometimes I struggle to find something … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 931 Pondlife by Jaques
Back to a complex preamble again this week. The solver is tasked with identifying 1ac and then must act as they would to correct a PONDLIFE deficiency – in the process providing 33ac. … Read more >>