Azed 1980: Jigsaw
I usually enjoy a jigsaw, because I like the way that progress accelerates once you crack a critical step. In this case, that step was the realisation that, of the two 11-letter solutions, … Read more >>
Guardian 25,005 (Sat 8 May)/Araucaria – Action stations
Solving time: 20 mins, with the majority on 5dn and 19ac The ‘capitally linked’ answers were all stations on the London Underground. As a non-Londoner I wasn’t doing too badly but was ruined … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 913 – Couples by Salamanca
A wonderfully crafted puzzle, which had me gaping in awe at the artistry of the themed-puzzle setter – although I found the clues generally easier than usual to solve, and it suffered a little from the … Read more >>
Independent 7,356/Phi
I made a strong start to this one, but came very unstuck on the top half and had to resort to help on a few words and phrases that are new to me. … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,385 / Orense
A simple crossword, no obscure words or circuitous wordplay. Newbies might want to cut their solving teeth with this. For old hands, it might seem a little uninspired. Across 1 ADMINISTERED MINISTER (vicar) … Read more >>
Independent 7351 (Sat 8 May) by Raich
This saturday was the 65th Anniversary of V.E. Day and this crossword had a WWII theme with several references in both clues and answers topped and tailed by two Vera Lynn songs. Raich … Read more >>
Guardian 25,010 – Araucaria
I’m sorry to say I didn’t know the quotation in 2/4/3dn, but I guessed the source, looked it up and quickly found the relevant part. Once that was in there wasn’t a huge … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,384 / Alberich
Having not looked at a crossword for over a week, and with a healthy dollop of jet-lag still floating in my brain, I was hoping for a relatively light workout. While this was … Read more >>
Independent 7355/Anax
To say that my heart sank when I saw that I had to blog one of Anax’s crosswords wouldn’t have been quite accurate: the knowledge that I was in for a tough solve … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1056 by Quixote 9th May 2010
Happy Thursday all. Did all of this one pretty swiftly, apart from ‘agaric’, which we looked up in Bradford’s when we got home. In retrospect, ‘smelly plant’ = ‘garlic’ should have been pretty … Read more >>
Guardian 25009 / Paul
Good morning all! You’re getting a double dose of us today. We’re very excited to be blogging a Paul puzzle as he’s a favourite of ours. This was an enjoyable puzzle, with a … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,375 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword on 3 May 2010 Once again, the prolific Dante entertained and teased us with his brand of smooth surfaces and slick construction. ACROSS 1 SICKLE cd Standard is used as … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,374 by Cinephile
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 1 Much of this puzzle is fairly pedestrian but I would single out 27A and 4D as especially good clues. Across 1. OUTWEIGH – reversed … Read more >>
Independent 7354 by Dac
Usual good puzzle from Dac, this one I found extremely easy, solving time, 12 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 1 SPARTA SPAR(fight) TA(volunteers) City in ancient Greece 8 FLETCHER Double definition. … Read more >>
Guardian 25008 / Arachne
Some very good clues in this puzzle, (e.g. 7d, 10d) and a few which I think are bit weak. I’m not sure about how to parse 15a and 14d, I’m afraid. Across 1. … Read more >>