Comments on: Indy – Review of 2010

By: Paul B

Paul B — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 14:17:51 +0000

More to complain about? Shhhuurely shome mishtake, K’s D!

Notwithstanding that, I agree completely. Plus there are more Graudnai readers than Indy readers just for now, and a v. long tradition of Internet, um, interest for that particular xwd on hallowed GU.

HNY.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 11:56:59 +0000

Thanks, Niall. I have been a bit of an Indy obsessive in 2010, so it was nice to see your analysis. This is probably the place to say that while I correctly finish the Indy daily crossword only three or four times a week on average, it’s almost without exception a fair challenge and the harder ones are helping me to get better as a solver. So thanks to all involved.

I do like the Guardian puzzles as well, but in my opinion the Indy is more consistent, with all the setters providing enjoyable stuff for us in a variety of styles. While the Guardian blog gets more comments, I think that’s partly to do with there being more to complain about, and maybe partly because more people solve it? Dunno.

Anyway, looking forward to more good stuff this year. Also just to remind folk that the Friday Independent i (the 20p version) has recently introduced a prize cryptic. I did yesterday’s (by Phi) and really enjoyed it.

By: jmac

jmac — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:55:43 +0000

Thanks for providing such an interesting benchmark. also, I see from the updated Setters page that you are Gurney – the provider of one of my favourite puzzles of the year. Bravo.

By: Michod

Michod — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 18:35:07 +0000

Much less scientifically, I’d agree that the Times and Indy are, on average, about equal in difficulty but generally harder than the Guardian. But that’s just on the basis of how often I finish comfortably before I have to get off the tube for work, chopping and changing which paper I get on the way.
Thanks for the annualysis, Niall, and congrats on your debut. Happy New Year to Mike/Eimi and all my fellow beggars and slotters.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 16:44:26 +0000

Happy New Year to you, also, Don.

In regard to difficulty, have solved some puzzles in all the main series in 2010 (except for the Guardian) and noted solving times. I’d say Times and Indy are about equal in difficulty, then Toughie in Telegraph, then FT, then Daily Telegraph cryptic in that order. The distinctive feature of the Indy ones in the Eimi era is the appearance of themes/Ninas, not every day but pretty often.

By: Quixote..

Quixote.. — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 16:19:34 +0000

If Niall could bear it, maybe he could (without doing ALL the puzzles) give a comparison of all the broadsheets in 2011 — there’s a challenge. I suspect that The Indy’s are now the hardest and will therefore appeal to a narrower sector of the market — but I’m guessing! But thanks NMS for all your hard work — and a happy new year!

By: Tees

Tees — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 16:07:51 +0000

Cheers Niall – thanks for the excellent analysis, the great blogging and your own fine puzzles.

By: Ali

Ali — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:27:25 +0000

Excellent analysis as always, Niall. No real surprise to see Bannsider, Nimrod and Tyrus near the top end, with relative newcomer Anax proving equally tricky! I still think that 52, 23-minute sessions with Dac is about as good as it gets, but have equally enjoyed wrestling with (and often being beaten by) the big boys.

I head for the Indy as a matter of course now as I’m afraid that I’ll miss out on something good if I don’t, and believe that Eimi has established a cracking team of setters and a great editorial style which make the puzzle pretty much unmissable. Many thanks to the ed, all setters and bloggers, and an extra special congrats on your Raich debut which was thoroughly deserved after some great thematic puzzles.

By: Handel

Handel — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 12:56:03 +0000

Fascinating stuff – thanks! Look forward to reading your blogs in 2011.