Financial Times / 12713 by Highlander
An easy puzzle that I finished in less than 30 minutes. The last three were 10ac., 22 ac. and 9dn. Many were solved immediately upon reading the clues, a couple half-way through them. Across … Read more >>
Month: March 2008
Independent 6676 (Mass): For Whom the Bell Tolls
* = anag, < reversed A neat themed puzzle based on the unusual subject of bell sounds (clued by 16 across using a different interpretation of the meaning). Across 5 Peal: soundalike of … Read more >>
GUARDIAN 24,332 – RUFUS : Toothless
I didn’t have a lot of spare time this morning but this still didn’t fill it. I don’t usually give my solving time – but I managed to complete it during a 15 … Read more >>
Azed 1866/binging on Chambers
I made quite good progress at first: after about an hour I had the entire puzzle solved… except for 4 or 5 clues in the NE quadrant. The root of all evil was … Read more >>
Guardian 24,325 (Sat 1 Mar)/Enigmatist – Killer Queen
Solving time: 32:36 This was really hard, but with some excellent clueing. After 10 minutes I had solved 3 clues (MASCARA, LAND AHOY and NEOLOGISM). Eventually I just wrestled with the anagram at … Read more >>
Independent 6674 by Phi
Tougher than usual from Phi, but all understood as one expects from experience from this top setter. Solving time, 37 mins. * = anagram < = reverse ACROSS 9 PULSATE Cunning as … Read more >>
Independent 6669/Bannsider
Another fantastic puzzle from Bannsider with a crop of great clues. My favourite was 21d but there are probably half a dozen others equally as good. I don’t understand 1d though and I … Read more >>
Guardian 24,330/Orlando
Pleasant mid/easy puzzle – certainly much less work than the Don-Monster yesterday. 1 CA-LI-GULA 5 BOXCAR : Didn’t quite get the Spoonerism – “Rocks Cab ?” 9 PO-CHARD-S : had to look this … Read more >>
Inquisitor 61 TRICKY ACROSS CLUES by Loda
One of the Hihobas found a nicely shaped box on his doorstep this week, following Inquisitor 59, so a small celebration will be held! The theme to number 61 stuck out a mile! The first two … Read more >>
Guardian 24329/Pasquale – missed the sugar
Always a pleasure to encounter Pasquale in The Guardian. One of the reasons is that you know that his wordplay will always be (eventually!) justifiable and sensible — with just the right touch … Read more >>
Financial Times / 12709 by Flimsy
Across 1 NESTLE – two definitions – the accent mark on the final e in the first definition is ignored 8 PATRIOT – A trip*, to* – charade with two anagrams 11 LAWN TENNIS – lawn, … Read more >>
Independent 6673/Morph
Very enjoyable puzzle from Morph – one of the easier Thursday puzzles we’ve had for a while. Across 1 BODICE RIPPER – v.amusing def + cryptic def to get us started. 9 TART,RATES … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 942 by Quixote (2 Mar 2008)
Some unfamiliar words, in which the clues helped with friendly wordplay. Quite easy overall, solving time, 17 mins Notes on some clues below – happy to explain others if asked. * = anagram … Read more >>
Sloggers and Betters 4 – a pub and meal evening on 4/4
As some readers will know, we’ve had a few evening meetings at London pubs for contributors to and readers of this blog, Times for the Times and Tony Sever’s RTC3. Both times, we’ve … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,699 by Cinephile — A puzzle for bird brains?
Here is one of those characteristic Cinephile themed puzzles, this one with a fairly easy theme to spot — chickens. Across 1. CAPONE – CAPON (bird) + E (energy) 4. ASSAILED – ASS … Read more >>