Independent 7,270/Dac
I found this a bit tougher than the average Dac. There are quite a few single word answers of 10 or more characters and these often seem to slow me down. Lovely clueing … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,300 / Aardvark
I’m sorry to say that I found this puzzle rather uninspiring, though that may just be me. Some of the surfaces seemed contrived, or made little sense, and the nature of the wordplay meant … Read more >>
Guardian 24,924 – Araucaria
An enjoyable puzzle from Araucaria today that was of the “just right” level of difficulty for me in a daily puzzle, and with not too many extreme liberties taken. The theme is words … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,299 / Jason
One clue I can’t quite figure out (5 down); I’m sure someone will help. Across 1 RABBIT WARREN RABBIT (gas, as in to talk excessively) WAR (conflict) RE (on) N (new) 8 POLENTA … Read more >>
Independent 7269 by Radian
Very enjoyable puzzle from Radian, which I found somewhat easier than usual from this setter. Solving time, 20 mins. Nina referred to at end. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 NOUGHT … Read more >>
Guardian 24923 – Pasquale
The Three Tenors, wherever and whenever they sing, never fail to entertain and enthrall me. Ditto, The Three Dons. Pasquale today offered a wide gamut of devices and tricks that are challenging but … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1249 + Picture Quiz
This post is for comments/questions/answers relating to my picture quiz.
Genius 79: Enigmatist — anagrams within anagrams
Oops! I should have assigned this for blogging, but have been somewhat preoccupied. So here’s a very quick, last-minute attempt at a blog. The deadline was orginally given as 6 February, but the … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 79?
I have now published the blog — see above.
Independent 7268 by Hypnos
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism A mostly easy puzzle with a couple of harder clues and one that’s driving me bananas trying to understand. There were some excellent clues … Read more >>
Guardian 24,922 (Rufus)
The week starts with Rufus. Exactly what you might expect with a large number of cryptic definitions. Across 1 EJECTS: (r)EJECTS with R right away 5 SHOWCASE: double definition 9 ABOVE ALL: anagram … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 409 – Doleful Nemesis
Anyone would think the crossword was on Page 3 given the number of pairs of tits on view in the wordplay, usually as anagram fodder – there’s floppy tits, daft tits and of … Read more >>
Azed 1965/groan
As per usual a wordplay or two which I’m not sure of. Somewhat harder than my last Azed outing (1958). And a surprised groan or two were elicited (Azed isn’t the most humorous … Read more >>
Everyman 3304
Not my favourite ever – 11ac is a recent, but not very popular television show which I think is perhaps a little unfair. Also, the way that I parse is, 13dn requires BRAIN … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 898: Prime Suspect by Nutmeg
A puzzle entitled Eggheads in this month’s Magpie (January 2010) and French Polish in last week’s Inquisitor (#1108, 09/01/2010) are Nutmeg’s most recent offerings, and here we are with Prime Suspect. In this … Read more >>