Azed 1986/Scotland Yard
Sorry for the late blog… no excuses (OK other than 48 World Cup games + Wimbledon). I thought this slightly harder than the run-of-the-mill Azed (oxymoron?). No lack of the requisite mysteries. Across … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3325 (20th June)
Lorraine: Nothing to taxing this week, made sure I read the clues properly (which helps). I was held up for a while this week as I hadn’t realised that I had spelt Altantic … Read more >>
Guardian 25,041 (Sat 19 Jun)/Araucaria – Suit you Sir
Solving time: 12 mins Another themed puzzle from Araucaria with lots of references to playing cards, both in clue answers and wordplay. I found this a pleasant enough puzzle with few significant quibbles … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 919 Go-getters by Ifor
Well – a seriously convoluted pre-amble this week. Pausing only for a sharp intake of breath, here goes – Removal of abbreviations from one clue in each even numbered down column and rearrangement of … Read more >>
Independent 7392 by Phi
Always have confidence with Phi that I will get there, this puzzle was no exception, solving time 23 mins. V enjoyable as always. * = anagram ACROSS 1 WIDE-ANGLE LENS (leading)* EL (the … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,421 / Flimsy
A very enjoyable puzzle liberally sprinkled with anagrams and cryptic definitions. The clue surfaces are uniformly well-crafted. Specially liked the neat anagram at 8D and the wordplay with ‘bill’ in 23A. Across 1 … Read more >>
Guardian 25,046 / Enigmatist
A great puzzle from Enigmatist – as always, some of the wordplay is difficult to parse, but with the help of my partner I think I’ve got them all. One of the aspects … Read more >>
Independent 7,387 by Anax (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 19/06/10)
I had just been thinking we must be due for a Saturday Anax, and here we are. I wonder if being able to predict setters several weeks running is an early sign of … Read more >>
Independent 7,391 by Scorpion
This seemed like a bit of a classic. Unfortunately work issues and inopportunely-timed fire drills meant I couldn’t really give it the attention it deserved, and had to cheat relentlessly. There’s some great … Read more >>
Guardian 25,045 / Araucaria
What a treat! – my favourite compiler and a number of theatrical / literary allusions. I realise that, on both counts, this will not be everyone’s cup of tea but it was right … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,420 – Alberich
The usual quotient of merry mischief, to keep us on our toes. Plenty of contenders for ‘clue of the day’ status. I have 15A and 27A still playing out an unresolved Isner vs … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1062 by Quixote – 20 June 2010
Back on the IoS beat for 1 week as Handel’s gone to France. I found this an extremely easy puzzle, solving time 11 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 1 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,411 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword on 14 June 2010 Mr Smoothie is here again to tease us with his unique brand of slick surfaces. ACROSS 1 BEHIND Van is short for vanguard (in front); dd? … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,410 by Falcon
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 12 My first impression of this puzzle was that it was too easy. I tore through the clues, the only ones stumping me for more … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,060 (13/06/10)
After the first four across entries fell straight in, I thought this might be an easy one. Not so, but I got there. In two clues the wordplay escapes me, however, and I’ve … Read more >>