Never knowingly undersolved
The preamble said that “The twelve unclued answers (a complete set) have something in common”, andwere given their unchecked (and mutually checked) letters. Twleve unclued answers seemed quite a lot but there was … Read more >>
This was as tough for me as the first couple of Tyrus puzzles I tried in the Independent. I don’t have an accurate timing for it but would guess about 45 minutes until … Read more >>
I should probably blog these a bit sooner after solving, or at least take notes, since I have scant recollection of actually tackling this one. I do know that I once again managed … Read more >>
Luckily for me, a fairly straightforward offering from Kcit this week. I got back from golfing hols on Sunday, and everything has bunched up nicely, including some crosswords that need solving and blogging … Read more >>
Solving time: 7 mins This was my fastest solve of a Saturday puzzle for a while, so must have been easier than usual, even for a non-Araucaria week. Only 20dn (REMARK) caused any … Read more >>
This seemed unusually difficult for Phi and one clue completely defeated me. There are a few I’m not sure about, which will I’m sure be rapidly explained here. Across 1 M(US(1)CO LOG)Y 6 … Read more >>
A nice mix of easy and tough clues in this entertaining puzzle. One or two parsings need help. Across 1 CONSTRUCTS CON (prisoner) STRUT (swagger) around C[ell] + S (suit) 7 PEST (TAPES)* … Read more >>
I found this quite tough going, both solving and parsing, and was pleased to have finished without recourse to the ‘cheat’ button – but irritated to have been completely beaten by the explanation … Read more >>
This wasn’t a particularly entertaining puzzle for a non-cricketing, non-English person. Though I have to admit that I, unwittingly, asked an Australian friend for assistance with the dénouement. Or should I say ex-friend? … Read more >>
This was probably my most rapid completion of a Cinephile puzzle in donkey’s years. Unfortunately, I ended up guessing incorrectly at 4D so I can’t claim a correct solution! Plenty of double definition … Read more >>
A nice, tough puzzle from Nestor with some lovely clues. I have to admit I struggled with the NW and SW corners though and there are a few I don’t understand even after … Read more >>
We enjoyed this and just missed out 8 down, so it’s probably a good difficulty level for a daily puzzle. I particularly liked the surface readings of 9a, 10a, 3d and 12a. Update: … Read more >>
Solving time, 22 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 6 PENNY-PINCHING D0uble definition 8 GENERA LIST 9 RHEA Hidden 10 BI (ST)RO 11 ELECT RUM 12 RUN (‘extra’ from cricket) 13 … Read more >>
Monday Prize Crossword on 14 September 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of September 12 For the first time in a while I am faced with two clues that I cannot fully solve, 12A and 20D. I figure I … Read more >>