Independent 7010/Bannsider (Prize puzzle 04-04-09)
We get a puzzle from Bannsider around once a month, and every month that puzzle is never less than bloody marvellous. I’m pleased to say that this month is no exception. Across 1 … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 856: Area of Doubt by Jaques
In this one, clues were of two types: Position clues, where the clues were numbered but required entry cyclically (ie starting anywhere in the entry space), and Momentum clues which were unnumbered but … Read more >>
Inquisitor 118 – Crazy Couple by Poat
We were told that wordplay in twelve clues was deficient by a single letter, the omissions making an arrangement for what the couple failed to provide when it was first demanded. Further, solvers … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,047/Gozo – Piece(s) of Cake?
Probably for some, but today’s theme is certainly not a strong suit for me. I had to resort to online verification for two answers (15/21 and 29A) and outright cheating on another (12A), … Read more >>
Independent 7014/Punk
Like most other people no doubt, I seem to have a full week’s worth of stuff to fit into 4 days this week, so not much time to stop and admire this puzzle … Read more >>
Guardian 24669 – Boatman
Getting 1dn early from a fairly obvious [but incorrect?] anagram made this a bit too easy, which is a pity as there are some nicer clues. A little theme of clues that included … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 999 by Quixote (5 Apr 2009)
I found this a little harder than normal, 19 and 20 across in particular, the latter not fully understood. Solving time, 32 mins. A theme to it. I refer to this after the … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,038 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword on 30 March 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,037 by Cincinnus
FT Weekend prize puzzle from March 28 Another beauty from Cincinnus. I especially liked 1A, 14A, 28A, 5D and 7D. Across 1. BUDGIE – I (one) in BUDGE (stir) 4. DIASPORA – A[i]R[c]O[r]P[s] … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,046 / Io
Well, this one was different! Some very liberal cluing of definitions in places and a lot of cds. Some of the surfaces seemed a little odd on first reading but with hindsight I … Read more >>
Independent 7013/Dac
In ‘Logical Chess’, by Irving Chernev, the author takes it upon himself to make a comment on every single move. As you might expect, the commentary on the opening moves of games become … Read more >>
Guardian 24,668/Paul
A very enjoyable puzzle from Paul, with (I think) nothing that could be regarded as obscure. (By the way, Hugh Stephenson’s latest newsletter discusses what counts as general knowledge – see the Guardian … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,045 / Moodim
Definitely a puzzle at the ‘easy’ end of the FT spectrum with many obvious and simple anagrams, charades, reversals etc. However, I am not particularly happy with the clue for 14d. As worded … Read more >>
Guardian 24,667 – Araucaria
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram For 15 minutes, I sat, stunned and … Read more >>
Independent 7,012 by Virgilius
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Interesting puzzle. The across clues present us with various ways of stating the obvious, whilst the many, very short, down clues seem to just fill … Read more >>