Posted by John on 30th August 2008
In Azed’s crosswords there is always an enormous amount of Chambers-checking meanings of words. If this blog were to contain all the unusual definitions it would be three times as long. I’ll assume that if you’re bothered enough to do the crossword and read this blog, then you’ll have Chambers to hand, so will confine myself to Azed’s wordplay. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Azed | 3 Comments »
Posted by rightback on 30th August 2008
Solving time: 75 mins, four wrong before using a dictionary (43ac, Q, X and Y).
Posted in Guardian | 16 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 29th August 2008
Typical Phi crossword in which everything stacks up. Solving time, 16 mins.
Posted in Independent | 6 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 29th August 2008
dd = double definition
cd = cryptic definition
rev = reversed or reversal
ins = insertion
cha = charade
ha = hidden answer
*(fodder) = anagram
Posted in Guardian | 15 Comments »
Posted by Octofem on 29th August 2008
At first glance rather daunting with so many literary allusions. However, the word play was very simple in most cases, and kind Google came to my aid with details. Alan seemed to be a favourite name!
Posted in FT | 3 Comments »
Posted by neildubya on 29th August 2008
Another superb puzzle from Bannsider with some very original and rigourous clueing. Very tough too, but always a pleasure to solve. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 9 Comments »
Posted by duncanshiell on 29th August 2008
I am not at all sure that I have got this puzzle right, as my solution to the final step does not seem to meet all the criteria that I would expect it to meet. However, I can’t find an viable alternative, so I have submitted this answer.
Posted in Inquisitor | 10 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 28th August 2008
A crossword from Monk is always a challenge and this was no exception. One or two clues did appear to be recycled, however this was offset by some fine, and sometimes misleading, cluing elsewhere. It took me a little while to determine the wordplay in places (25a and 20d in particular) but I like to be stretched and Monk invariably provides this mental stimulation.
Posted in FT | 7 Comments »
Posted by neildubya on 28th August 2008
Something of a rarity for me: a Nimrod puzzle where I understand every clue! Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 12 Comments »
Posted by golgonooza on 28th August 2008
Another great crossword from The Don. I find he pitches them just right for daily cryptics – this wasn’t really tough but did require switching on the rusty old brain cells for some very elegant clueing.
Posted in Guardian | 12 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 28th August 2008
Posted in Independent | 2 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 28th August 2008
From FT Saturday Prize Puzzle on 16 August 2008
dd = double definition
cd = cryptic definition
rev = reversed or reversal
ins = insertion
cha = charade
ha = hidden answer
*(fodder) = anagram
Posted in FT | 1 Comment »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 28th August 2008
From Monday Prize Crossword 18 August 2008
dd = double definition
cd = cryptic definition
rev = reversed or reversal
ins = insertion
cha = charade
ha = hidden answer
*(fodder) = anagram
Posted in FT | No Comments »
Posted by smiffy on 27th August 2008
A liberal smattering of general knowledge items (operas, chess players, Roman poets), of the type that one is either likely to know readily or have never heard of. I started off at a fair clip , but progress slowed to a crawl on the last two or three clues (particularly 17D).
PS: Belated apologies for absence from blogging last Friday. I carelessly forgot to remove myself from the roster before heading off on holiday.
Posted in FT | 3 Comments »
Posted by diagacht on 27th August 2008
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | IGNITION KEY: & Lit |
| 9 | OCTOBER: O + (TO BE in CR) |
| 10 | ERASURE: ERA + anagram of USER |
| 11 | WHIRLWIND: HIRL (sounds like ‘hurl’) in W-WIND |
| 12 | SISAL: anagram of SAILS |
| 13 | BEDS: double definition |
| 14 | WHEEL CLAMP: anagram of CALM HELP WE |
| 16 | DAY TRIPPER: (T in AYR) in DIPPER |
| 21 | PANIC: a double definition of sorts |
| 22 | UNHELPFUL: UN + HELP + anagram of FLU |
| 24 | CLASSIC: CLASS +IC(e) |
| 26 | EXPEDIENTLY: anagram of EXTEND I YELP |
| Down | |
| 1 | IN THIS DAY AND AGE: & Lit |
| 2 | NOBEL: N + O + BE + L |
| 3 | TURKISH: double definition |
| 4 | OVERDUE: OVER + DUE |
| 5 | KNAPSACK: KNAP (sounds like ‘nap’) + FIRE (sack) |
| 6 | YOURS FAITHFULLY: & Lit |
| 7 | COBWEB: double definition (see A Midsummer Night’s Dream) |
| 8 | DEWLAP: another double defintion: a fold of skin and a means of marking cattle |
| 15 | CRACKS UP: C + RACKS UP |
| 16 | DEPICT: anagram of PC TIDE |
| 17 | POUNCED: OUNCE in P (quiet) D (end of wooD) |
| 18 | ENHANCE: EN (two points) + (c)HANCE (not 100) |
| 20 | BALLAD: ALL in BAD |
Posted in Guardian | 6 Comments »