Posted by Colin Blackburn on 30th September 2007
A possibly error-free Azed! The usual mix of obscure words in both the grid and word play, some unusual devices and some great surfaces added up to a typically enjoyable Azed plain puzzle. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Azed | 1 Comment »
Posted by rightback on 29th September 2007
Solving time: 15:23
Not for the first time, a puzzle based on the works of Lewis Carroll, specifically Through the Looking-Glass (TTLG) and its chess ‘match’ between the White and Red pieces. About average difficulty overall, provided you knew a little about the book.
Posted in Guardian | 4 Comments »
Posted by Colin Blackburn on 29th September 2007
The theme required solutions to be adapted before entry but said nothing of the clues. Noticing that the answer lengths were one or two less than the grid lengths this suggested some addition to each answer as it was entered into the grid. Treating the clues as normal I solved a few intersecting clues cold. After three of four from the top corner it stood out that each answer so far contained a double-you and that the only way to get the words to fit the grid was to do something with these double-yous. Unfortunately 1a and 1d both went in, and remained real words, if the W became a QU. This didn’t work for the next couple of answers!
Posted in Guardian Genius | 3 Comments »
Posted by smiffy on 28th September 2007
The only real stumbling block today for me was 18A, which took me several minutes of plodding through the alphabet until I could find an answer that justified the clue. 10A doesn’t work, in my opinion, but I’ll gladly stand corrected.
Posted in FT | 6 Comments »
Posted by neildubya on 28th September 2007
I found this very easy – no Chambers or Bradford needed. There were some difficult words in the puzzle (31A,19D) but I was helped on these by checking letters and the straightforward clueing.
Posted in Beelzebub | No Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 28th September 2007
I know with Bannsider that it will be tough and it was. Got there in the end – one or two that I cannot fully see the wordplay. Some very good clues as always.
Posted in Independent | 10 Comments »
Posted by neildubya on 28th September 2007
A something-for-everyone puzzle from Monk. A few easy clues to get you going, some hard ones to stretch you, a bit of innovation here and there and some good old-fashioned smut. Not forgetting the ubiquious Nina of course, which is explained below at 5D. Bravo. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 5 Comments »
Posted by loonapick on 28th September 2007
For once I tackled the Inquisitor on the day of publication, and, by lunchtime, it was finished.
Posted in Inquisitor | 4 Comments »
Posted by linxit on 27th September 2007
Solving time 20:19
Araucaria’s certainly on form today. A great 28-letter anagram at 1A,8D and a lot of other very clever clues made this a real pleasure to solve. I don’t think there was anything to really grate with my Ximenean sympathies either, apart from “some x” meaning “the first (unspecified number of) letters of x”, used a couple of times in 9 and 22. There seems to be a lot of General Knowledge required to solve this one, hence the large number of Wikipedia links.
Posted in Guardian | 9 Comments »
Posted by neildubya on 27th September 2007
There’s always lots of fun to be had with a puzzle by Punk (or Paul) and this was no exception. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 1 Comment »
Posted by nmsindy on 27th September 2007
Quite a tricky puzzle with some novel features. More verifying needed than usual. Will concentrate on what I found the trickier or more unusual clues, but happy to explain any other if asked.
Posted in Independent | No Comments »
Posted by Pete Maclean on 27th September 2007
Following two Weekend FT puzzles that I fairly sailed through, Mudd gave me a bit of a challenge with this one. As usual, it was a satisfying challenge. I did however fail to understand one clue (14D) although I fancy I got the right answer for it.
Posted in FT | 3 Comments »
Posted by ilancaron on 27th September 2007
(Hope PaulB isn’t reading this since I’m late again). Another fine Paul opus – some surprising and refreshing wordplay (e.g. 7D, 1A) and sly definitions (e.g. 25A). I did this early morning but have only found time now to write it up. I will write an apologue at some point justifying myself. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Guardian | 4 Comments »
Posted by John on 26th September 2007
Solving time :32 mins 59 secs. Thank goodness this wasn’t one of Cinephile’s really difficult ones. As always with Cinephile, one or two clues that stretch a pedantic Ximenean, but nevertheless lots of good ones. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 2 Comments »
Posted by Colin Blackburn on 26th September 2007
Some of the surface readings in this puzzle were truly superb, 1 down shone out. I was beaten by 8 down and Dac has been beaten by 25 down which has two possible answers. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 5 Comments »