Independent 6549/Phi
Excellent stuff from Phi. I’m lost on the last one across though. Across 1/10 THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE — double def. — the cryptic definition of the two refers to … Read more >>
Month: October 2007
Guardian 24,206 – Brendan/Ambiguity
A clever themed crossword which shows the ambiguity of the English language. Most of the across clues and some of the down clues lead to words which have two conflicting definitions. Time taken: … Read more >>
Independent 6544/Nestor
One of the easier puzzles from this usually tough compiler. I filled in a surprising number of answers using definitions and/or checking letters so it was the only when I came to write … Read more >>
Guardian 24205/Gordius – evasive setter
Not for the first time a couple of clues for which I don’t understand the wordplay: e.g 26A, 4A, and a few others in which I can imagine what the answer must be. … Read more >>
Independent 6548 by Mordred
An excellent puzzle from one the Indy’s occasional setters, with a background in the world of advanced puzzles. A mixture of very easy and very hard clues, I found. Excellently crafted with some … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 921 by Quixote
Fairly straightforward, I found. Solving time: 16 mins. As in recent weeks, will comment on a small number of what seemed the trickier or more interesting clues, but happy to explain any others … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,576 by Cinephile
For the first time since I started blogging I had a clue that I could not solve! See 17 across. There are others that I do not completely understand and a couple that … Read more >>
FT 12,585/Viking
Apologies for the late posting; I ended up putting in a longer than anticipated shift at the salt mines today, so am blogging much later in the day than usual. Nothing too goofy … Read more >>
Independent 6547 by Dac
Solving time: 26 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 TRI FACIAL “Try” Trifacial nerve 11 YORK Hidden 12 FELT TIP PEN 14/15 SMOKEY ROBINSON (Bono risks money)* 18/19 INTERNAL ORGANS … Read more >>
Guardian 24204/Paul (Wednesday 10 Oct)
Solving time : 54 minutes, with one or two not understood and a little bit of reference book and electronic nudging towards the end. I’m not very familiar with Paul, since I avoid … Read more >>
Independent 6546 / Virgilius – It’s rocket science!
Solving Time: 17 minutes Another breathtaking puzzle from Virgilius, who is surely in the elite of setters. The clues are all thematic, concise, read splendidly and bring a smile to the face (Especially … Read more >>
Independent 6538/Math (29-09-07)
Apologies for the delay in posting this – I solved the puzzle but then didn’t get a chance to blog it. This is the first Saturday crossword from Math, and it has a … Read more >>
Guardian 24,203, Chifonie: Can footballers play rugby?
Good stuff – one of two 3 downs for me in the other downs, but lots of decent clues too. ACROSS: 9. DER RING DO. Very nice – Bayreuth made me think Wagner … Read more >>
Fifteensquared and Facebook
A few of us bloggers are on Facebook and I recently set up a Fifteensquared group there. If you fancy joining us, just go to www.facebook.com, create a profile (if you haven’t got one … Read more >>
Guardian 24202/Rufus – a gentle workout…not!
Solving time 15:33 I was racing through this in the usual quickish time of about 6 or 7 minutes, when I finally got to 24A/D and ground to a halt. It must have … Read more >>