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 >>
Independent 7,390/Dac
Dac’s puzzles are always a pleasure, never a chore. That said, this definitely seemed tougher than usual and I eventually had to admit defeat with a few answers. Ain’t nothing wrong with any … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1130 – The Magnificent Seven by Raich
For me, the theme of this puzzle was very easy to guess. I knew already that Raich was mad enough about football to make regular journeys from Ireland to support Sunderland, and take … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,419 / Cinephile
To be met by one of Cinephile’s long anagrams as the first across clue did not bode well so I started with the downs instead which made life somewhat easier, though the puzzle … Read more >>
Guardian 25,044 – Brendan
Another clever themed puzzle from Brendan, this time based on (mostly elementary) mathematics. Amazingly, just about every clue and answer has mathematical connections – a brilliant feat. Maybe my mathematical background helps, but … Read more >>
Independent 7389/Radian
A very nice offering from Radian. I’m a bit unsure about one or two of the clues, either because I simply don’t understand them or because I have my own doubts about them. … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,418 / Courtier
This is at least the third year running that “Courtier” has posted a puzzle with a timely theme. Presumably it is one of the usual setters using a different pseudonym. Any guesses? I … Read more >>
Guardian 25,043 – Pasquale
Solving this puzzle was pretty routine and amusing, given that The Don is always scrupulously fair. However, writing a blog and explaining each and every wordplay is another thing and took me ages. … Read more >>
Independent 7388 by Eimi
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism The web site is still showing Friday’s puzzle – not sure if this is an error or the beginning of a new policy under … Read more >>
Guardian 25,042 / Rufus
A very easy start to the week and one completed rather quickly whilst watching the sun rise on the summer solstice. A typical Rufus with the odd good cd (3dn) and some less so … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 419 – Big Nancy
I must be getting better at these. Another Eye crossy that was knocked off without raising a sweat. The long giveaway answer gave away lots of crossing letters and everything else slotted in … Read more >>
Azed 1985
The usual pleasurable experience. All the clues are utterly sound and you know you’ll get there in the end, even if the progress is a bit slow. The words are — in this … Read more >>
Everyman 3324
A few slightly more obscure answers and a little fiendish wordplay here and there (8dn in particular) made this one a bit tricky, but hopefully pretty fair. Some lovely surfaces dotted about too. … Read more >>