Never knowingly undersolved
Another wonderful thematic puzzle from Virgilius. All the across entries are synonyms, as explained in the last down clue (26 down). Solving time: 24 mins * = anagram ACROSS 7 GAMMON Double … Read more >>
An extremely accessible today, to the extent that it could well be the fastest I’ve ever solved a broadsheet puzzle in my life. Anagram fiends should be pleased, as the letter-scrambling comes thick and fast throughout, … Read more >>
Some very characteristic Paulian clues today — 26ac, 8d and (especially) 23d are the sort we have learnt to expect from him and no-one else! Across 1 LAID BACK — ‘Dial’ … Read more >>
Probably the easiest Mass puzzle I’ve solved (and definitely the easiest I’ve blogged). There were some really good clues in this but, again, I don’t think much of the cryptic definitions and I … Read more >>
A Rufus puzzle with a few less of his trademark cryptic definitions than usual. A quick blog today because it’s Monday morning, the puzzle wasn’t overly difficult, except for one clue I don’t … Read more >>
Gordon Brown gets more of a work-out this time in the early clues, as “leader” and is often useful to suggest one of the short “brown” colours, tan, dun, etc. I might not … Read more >>
This was lots of fun — high-quality clues, as ever, from Azed, with a nice twist to make it even more interesting. Each across clue was for two overlapping words — one was … Read more >>
My Scots theory I think has more evidence in the form of Everyman also being Ascot in the Spectator. This week, JJ is Jeremiah Johnson and admirably the two J’s are checked. Some … Read more >>
Good quality puzzle from Phi with a handful of great anagrams. One clue has left me foxed. I think the grid was pangrammatic too. Across 8 DIPSOMANIA — (I SIP ON MAD)* + … Read more >>
Solving time 18:13 A very easy puzzle for me, partly because the theme tied into one of my interests. In eight theme answers, a letter had to be removed before jumbling, and the … Read more >>
Something of a novelty for me, this – a Nimrod puzzle where I understood everything (almost). Original choice of theme too; it’s not National Anteater Day or something is it? Across 9 EMANATE … Read more >>
The easiest crossword I’ve done in quite some time leading to my first ever “clean-sweep” (I think this is a technical term meaning that you solve every clue in a puzzle in order, … Read more >>
This is the first time I have blogged an Auster puzzle. This one has a real mix of very clever and very easy clues, as well as one or two that don’t pass … Read more >>
Solving Time: 68 minutes Probably the toughest Guardian crossword I have encountered in a very long time. I made a good start with the big anagram but it just went backwards with unfamiliar … Read more >>
Solving time: 14 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 DOGS BODY 5 AV Authorised Version (of the Bible) EST (“is” in French) A. Texts from Zoroastrianism (or had you moved on to the … Read more >>