Posted by Andrew on 30th November 2008
A moderately difficult Azed, which I somehow found more of a slog and less of a pleasure than usual, though as always it’s scrupulously fair and there are some excellent clues.
Posted in Azed | 8 Comments »
Posted by rightback on 29th November 2008
Solving time: 20:43, two mistakes (23ac and 5dn)
I found this fairly difficult but enjoyable. A number of the answers, including the two I guessed incorrectly (EPISEMON and ERYSIPELAS), had ambiguous wordplays, which I think is fair enough for a Saturday prize puzzle.
Posted in Guardian | 29 Comments »
Posted by Hihoba on 28th November 2008
My apologies for the late arrival of this blog. I have been having problems getting into Google Calendar and so was not aware that it was my turn!
Posted in Inquisitor | No Comments »
Posted by John on 28th November 2008
A nice 4-based crossword from Phi today.
| Across | |
|---|---|
| 1 | THE MOONSTONE — them (not so)* one — OK once one has 4 |
| 8 | FLORIDA — (fair old)* — excellent &lit. |
| 9 | V AUNTED — ref. Bertie Wooster‘s aunts Agatha and Dahlia |
| 11 | I M(PR)OVE |
| 12 | LE(I)T RIM |
| 13 | EERIE — {w}e((ire)rev.)e{k} |
| 14 | CAFETIERE — (fact eerie)* — ‘brewing centre’ misleads nicely |
| 16 | NARCISSUS — (Sus(si(c)r)an)rev. |
| 19 | CIRCA — (a cric{k})rev. |
| 21 | MINEOLA — (a lemon I)* — had never heard of it |
| 23 | EN(L ACE)D |
| 24 | NAVVIES — the v of navies is doubled |
| 25 | SUPREMO — R.E.M. in (opus)rev. |
| 26 | B(RIGHT ON)ROCK |
| Down | |
| 1 | TROOPER — 0 in (report)rev. |
| 2 | EPITOME — (pie)* to me |
| 3 | OPALESCES — (poses lace)* |
| 4 | NO(V)EL |
| 5 | TO(UR IS)T |
| 6 | NUT T(R)EE — the definition is Hazel, which seemed a bit inadequate until I saw that a hazel is a tree, rather than, as I had thought, a nut |
| 7 | OF MICE AND MEN — (commend a fine)* |
| 10 | DOMBEY AND SON — do (man’s beyond)* |
| 15 | FOSTERS ON |
| 17 | R(UN)OVER |
| 18 | {A}IR(ON)ING |
| 19 | CALYPSO — (plays)* in co |
| 20 | REC{IPE} HECK |
| 22 | ASSET — SS in (tea)rev. |
Posted in Independent | 8 Comments »
Posted by mhl on 28th November 2008
I normally find Chifonie very difficult, so I was pleased to get through about half today’s puzzle very fast – the rest of the clues (mostly in the bottom half) took quite a bit longer though… There are lots of very enjoyable clues here. [Links to the puzzle as: HTML, PDF and Java applet]
Posted in Guardian | 18 Comments »
Posted by neildubya on 28th November 2008
It’s not often we see a preamble in an Indy puzzle, and I’m not really sure we needed one here. If the X in the thematic clues was replaced by 7 then surely that would make it clear what was going on? That’s a minor gripe though, and it certainly didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the puzzle, which I thought was first-rate. It’s a shame Benjamin Britten couldn’t have been fitted into the grid as he was actually born on 5/6′s Day. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 4 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 28th November 2008
Smiffy is busy enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday today so you will have to put up with me instead. There was nothing particularly difficult in this offering from Sleuth so I haven’t seen a need to add much explanation to the wordplay but if anyone needs some clarification then please post a comment.
Posted in FT | 14 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 28th November 2008
Overall, a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on wet Sunday afternoon. I thought some of the normal clues were a little on the easy side but this was compensated for by the thematic ones, as reflected in my split of time spent on the two types (normal 35%, thematic 65%).
Posted in Enigmatic Variations | 2 Comments »
Posted by Eileen on 27th November 2008
I don’t remember seeing a Logodaedalus puzzle for a while, so it’s a welcome return. I found this pretty straightforward, with some nice surfaces and anagrams, although I have a couple of quibbles. I’ve learned two new words today.
Posted in Guardian | 24 Comments »
Posted by neildubya on 27th November 2008
A very good puzzle from Mordred – tricky, but not impenetrably so, and good fun to solve. There’s a Nina too, in the 8th row of the grid, although I’m not sure what significance it has, if any. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Independent | 11 Comments »
Posted by Octofem on 27th November 2008
An intriguing puzzle which proved less daunting than it seemed at first glance. Two short words in the top left hand corner stumped me most. I have included one or two probable answers without explanation in the hopes that the usual stalwarts will provide illumination. (Now provided by Geoff. I amend with thanks.)
Posted in FT | 13 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 27th November 2008
Only 20 puzzleS to go now till Quixote’s 1000th. Always a very accessible puzzle, solving time, 15 mins.
Posted in Independent | No Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 27th November 2008
Monday Prize Crossword on 17 November 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 Pete Maclean on 27th November 2008
FT Weekend Prize Puzzle from November 15
This proved for me to be the easiest Cinephile puzzle I have done in a long time and one of the best.
Posted in FT | 3 Comments »
Posted by nmsindy on 26th November 2008
Harder than usual for Dac, I thought – two brilliant &lit clues involving anagrams and a great puzzle overall – solving time, 36 mins
Posted in Independent | 3 Comments »