Independent 6900 by Dac
Harder than usual for Dac, I thought – two brilliant &lit clues involving anagrams and a great puzzle overall – solving time, 36 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 COLOURLESS … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,935 by Cinephile
I felt slightly underwhelmed having finished this one as, overall, I did not think it was up to Cinephile’s usual high standard. The surface in some clues left something to be desired and, as far as I … Read more >>
Guardian 24,556/Boatman
I blogged what I think was Boatman’s first puzzle a few weeks ago, and here he is again. The consensus then seemed to be that he was a promising addition to the stable, … Read more >>
Independent 6,899/Virgilius – It’s all about U
Great stuff as ever from the V-man. There’s a theme running through this one, with 9/25A kicking things off and then numerous references to the letter “U” in both clues and answers. I … Read more >>
Guardian 24,555 – Paul
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram What a superb day! I was solving … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,934 / Phssthpok
This puzzle is none-too-easy. In the allotted time, four clues are still to go. Can’t put on the thinking cap all the time! I am sure my friends will fill me in. Across … Read more >>
Guardian 24,554 – Rufus
Straightforward monday puzzle, lots of typical Rufus cryptic definitions. c.d. = cryptic definition d.d. = double definition * = anagram << = rev Across 1. STRATUS. ST(R)ATUS 5. FULCRA. c.d. 9. WEAPONRY. OPENWAR* … Read more >>
Independent 6898 by Radian
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone This was mostly fairly easy, but had a couple of clues that I struggled to understand even after I’d got the answer. My only criticism would be that there … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 378 – Guidelines
The theme this time is the recent 25A perpetrated by 5A/21 and 15A/8 which 8D and embarrassed the 11A. One of them has jumped ship before he 1D. The other has been suspended … Read more >>
Crossword Ends in Violence (5)
I’ve received an email from James Cary, a TV and radio comedy writer, who has written a novel about the crossword controversy surrounding the D-Day landings (which was talked about in the recent … Read more >>
Azed 1903
A relatively easy Azed for me this time around. That means I did it easily in one evening after dinner, I suspect Peter B could have polished this one off within 30 minutes. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,547 (Sat 15 Nov)/Araucaria – Playing Cat and Mouse
Solving time: 13:40 An enjoyable puzzle from Araucaria, with a couple of strange clues thrown in. Several clues refer to the Suffragette movement. * = anagram, “X” = sounds like ‘X’. Across 1 … Read more >>
Independent 6,896/Nestor
It’s not often that I think that Nimrod isn’t the hardest weekday puzzle, but I really struggled with this one! I only solved 3 clues on my first pass and it took me … Read more >>
Guardian 24,552 – Gordius
Quite easy for a friday, I thought. Straightforward and well constructed, with a lot of anagrams. * = anagram dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition Across 7. LADIES MAN. ASEMILAND*. Never … Read more >>
Independent 6891/Virgilius (Prize puzzle 15-11-08)
A rare treat: Virgilius on a Saturday. About the same level of difficulty as we’ve come to expect from Virgilius and a theme of course: this time, it’s centred around two well-known phrases … Read more >>