Independent 7357 (Saturday Prize Puzzle) by Bannsider
The last Bannsider puzzle I blogged had a theme based on the rock group Kasabian. I’ve looked at diagonals and unches, and I can’t see any obvious theme in this puzzle, but I … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,390/Sleuth
Much like 1A, this puzzle had a solid enough core but lacked that extra flair and creativity to put it in the running for any major accolades. Across 1 LIVERPOOL – (role old VIP)*- … Read more >>
Independent 7,361/Nimrod
Seems to have been a while since I blogged a Nimrod, but I always find his puzzles a good, fun challenge. I was glad of the mini Iron Man theme and some long … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1057 by Quixote 16th May 2010
We completed this crossword in a most pleasant way – in bed with a cup of tea during a rare weekend at home, before a pub lunch. Its gentle wit was much appreciated, … Read more >>
Guardian 25,015 – Brendan
Another cleverly-themed puzzle from Brendan, with a lot of very nice clues. I particularly liked the misleading definitions in 7 and 8 dn. I can’t fully explain 12ac – suggestion welcome. … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,381 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword on 10 May 2010 A gentle start to the FT week is always guaranteed by the Monday prize crossword. Very fair. ACROSS 1 MAISONETTE *(no estimate) 7 CODE C (circa … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,380 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 8 My favourite clues in this puzzle are 9A (WENDY), 25A (BOW STREET) and 16D (WORKMATES). Across 1. SOMEHOW – anagram of HOME in SOW … Read more >>
Independent 7360/Dac
As usual, an immaculate little crossword from Dac, with elegant well-constructed clues. The explanation of one of the answers defeats me, but it will almost certainly be immediately made clear. (As I did … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,389 / Io
Some tricky clues today, with one (12ac) that I cannot fully explain. Unusually for an FT puzzle there is a Nina. The left and right columns, taken together, read THE OUTSIDE EDGE. I am … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1125 – Disaster by Schadenfreude
Solving time: about 1 hour In this puzzle, which “depicts an historic event”, the gimmick is that “When the clue answers have been entered, some squares will be empty. In the final grid … Read more >>
Guardian 25,014 – Bonxie
The first Bonxie I’ve blogged is also the first time I’ve seen 3dn, 18dn or 22ac. Everything else was mostly straightforward, but I did have to guess and google 3 and 22 in … Read more >>
Sloggers and Betters 6
The next “Sloggers and Betters” gathering for crossword setters and blog contributors and readers will take place in London next Thursday, 27th May, following on from the annual lunch for Times setters. It … Read more >>
Independent 7359 by Virgilius
Another excellent puzzle from the master, as usual with a theme underlying it, I refer to this following the clue explanations. Solving time, 28 mins, of which the last 8 were trying to … Read more >>
Guardian 25,013 – Gordius
A fair-to-middling offering from Gordius with the expected hard-boiled eggs here and there; but nothing that can give serious indigestion. There are, however, a few flashes of brilliance like 4Down which would have … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,388 / Jason
Unusual, but pleasant, to see a theme in a Tuesday FT. For a moment I was afraid that a few clues would leave me in limbo, but I did a jig when the … Read more >>