Never knowingly undersolved
Rufus at his best. Took about 15 minutes, with fewer cryptic definitions than usual, but his skill in that department evident in the ordinary definitions – well concealed, with a high proportion using … Read more >>
Avian theme. 14D (CHAFFINCH) was my way in. I solved this twice. The second time took as long virtually as the first since I’d forgotten most of the birds already. Across 1 PART,RIDGE … Read more >>
Solving time: 20 minutes Another enjoyable puzzle from the Mr Dependable of the crossword world. Plenty of terrific clues to keep the mind taxed with 11 across a particular favourite, along with 5 … Read more >>
Across 1. CHEESE – Cryptic def. 4. REASON – (Sane or)* 8. A,C,COUNT(=tell) 9. PFENNIG – 100 pfennigs to an old German mark 11. ASPIRATION – (a pianist or)* 12. LEES – “leas” … Read more >>
A typically enjoyable and thought-provoking number from Monk. I didn’t spot a trademark Nina, but I suppose that the four (4,5,4) answers that transect the grid symmetrically are, in themselves, a thematic touch. … Read more >>
This was without doubt the hardest crossword I’ve had to blog, and almost defeated me. It took about 45 minutes, and I resorted to online aids for a couple of the final clues – I … Read more >>
As far as Inquisitors go, this puzzle by a compiler I have never come across before was relatively easy. Many of the clues were of a standard that would not be out of … Read more >>
Quite often, when I’m solving a puzzle that I’ll be blogging later on, I fill in answers which I’m reasonably sure are right and then think, “I’ll work out the wordplay when I … Read more >>
Solving time: 11 minutes Apologies for the late posting but those nice folks on the FT website didn’t put today’s (or yesterday’s) puzzles up until late tonight. A very easy puzzle with too … Read more >>
Solving time: 22 mins. Pleasing fare, as always. * = anagram ACROSS 7 HE PA(R)IN Friendly wordplay for a word unfamiliar to me (but it’s in the Concise OED). A compound occurring in … Read more >>
I’ve blogged Quantum 3 or 4 times before, and I think I have been fairly mild with my criticism in each case. I don’t really enjoy solving a Quantum crossword, especially a waorkaday … Read more >>
A fine puzzle by this talented setter. Solving time: 31 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 BO W-W(O)W www = world wide web = net BO = … Read more >>
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 23, 2007 A tiny bit of a theme here: beheading for crimes against the state. For me this puzzle proved a little easier than most … Read more >>
IO was another new name to me until I checked the Setters page here and found that he is also Nimrod and Enigmatist, which explained a lot. Unusual to see a preamble in … Read more >>
A rushed puzzle today which is still unfinished. I have not worked out 18dn or 21ac, I suspect if I got either I’d get the other but I thought I’d get the post … Read more >>