Guardian 24070/Rufus – not Ximenean
Solving time: 20’ The recent setters table on this site has had me wondering about the Ximenean vs. Libertarian classification – Rufus has been tagged as the latter. This puzzle has convinced me: … Read more >>
Genius 46/Brummie – “having one too many”
This was the least challenging Genius for a while, but it was an enjoyable solve, nonetheless. Once you solved the across clues, you were left with a fairly straightforward anagram, and the down … Read more >>
Everyman 3161/slipped on cargoship?
Solving time: pretty quickly except for one clue I went through this at a pretty good clip but I’m still befuddled by the wordplay for 5D (CARGOSHIP) : I suspect I’ve completely missed … Read more >>
Azed 1,822: Reasons to be cheerful
NUDDY at 12 across brought to mind the lines from Ian Dury’s ‘Reasons to be Cheerful – Part 3: “Something nice to study, phoning up a buddy, being in my nuddy”. The song, … Read more >>
Independent 6406/Phi
This seemed like a harder-than-usual effort from Phi, although no less entertaining for that. It got me wondering about the Saturday slot of the Indie puzzle though: does a setter who usually sets … Read more >>
Guardian 24,063 (Sat 28 Apr)/Paul – “It’s good spelling, but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places”
Solving time: 8:15 An easier puzzle than usual from Paul, with no 10ac that I could see. Beginners’ tips: ‘criminal’ = FENCE, ‘fairy’ = PERI, ‘essay’ = TRY, ‘kiss’ = X. * = … Read more >>
Independent 6411/Phi – All at sixes and sevens?
A satisfying and well-worked crossword although there are a couple I’m looking for further explanation on. Very unusually for me I spotted a nina in the unchecked letters on the middle column and … Read more >>
Inquisitor 17 – Subject to Change / Charybdis
Solving time: c. 80 mins A fairly gentle puzzle this one – thematic clues just lead to phrases of words associated with the school subjects mentioned. Enumerations for these indicated which phrases had … Read more >>
Guardian 24068/Pasquale – a la recherche
Solving time: 35’ More than one instance in which clear wordplay led to a new word (THALLI, SINICISM, CHOTA, OGIVES, ADENITIS) or a familiar word had me reverse engineering the wordplay (DIE HAPPY). … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 898 by Quixote
A little trickier this week, with some elaborate wordplay. Solving time: 30 mins Quixote’s puzzles are very accessible. As they appear in a weekend edition with a week to work it out, they … Read more >>
Independent 6410 by Morph – footy and much more
The theme of this puzzle was football teams (indicated by “side” in definitions) or, more particularly, the names that appear as parts of names of teams. e.g. United, City, Athletic. However, there was … Read more >>
Guardian 24067 / Orlando Superior Fare
Solving Time: 14 minutes I picked this up while munching on my Wheatybangs and thoroughly enjoyed it. Orlando is, one of the setters on the Graun that is taken for granted; his puzzles contain … Read more >>
Independent 6409/Dac
An entertaining challenge from Dac which had the right mix of clues to keep you on your toes. However, I do have one query and two small questions (19 and 21 across and … Read more >>
Guardian 24,066, Chifonie: My life as a dog
‘The dog for me’ (6dn)… well, I don’t think Chifonie’s an Afghan, so it probably had to be setter, didn’t it! That one was a bit obvious to seasoned hands, but there are some nice clues … Read more >>
Independent 6408 by Virgilius – all the colours
Another excellent themed puzzle by Virgilius – four colours with in many cases linked clues. Solving time: 16 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 ROSE BUSH Very good 5 JAFFA First letters 10/11/12 … Read more >>