Guardian 24,409 (Sat 7 Jun)/Brummie – Camera work
Solving time: About 15 mins I think. The eight answers clued by definition wordplay only (asterisked below) were all types of camera, which took me a long time to spot; I think a … Read more >>
Month: June 2008
Guardian 24,416 – Rufus
Common abbreviations used dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade * = anagram A soft start to the week but fun … Read more >>
Azed 1880: Prime time
Another fairly straightforward Azed puzzle for my first official blog, with some easy hidden answers and anagrams to get started on. The grid is slightly unusual, with 38 words in it rather than … Read more >>
Independent 6758 by Nimrod
This puzzle appeared only on the paper’s website – the previous day’s Virgilius was reprinted in the paper. I found it very hard, but got there in the end – solving time 70 … Read more >>
Independent 6753/Nestor (07-06-08)
Great puzzle from this consistently entertaining and challenging setter. Still don’t understand 28, 1, and 16 and not sure about the definition at 6. Across 8 L,EVERET[-t] – which is a young hare. … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,793 – Sleuth
Common abbreviations used dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade * = anagram Across 1 AVIEMORE Cha of A VIE (struggle) … Read more >>
Guardian 24,414 – Pasquale
Common abbreviations used dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade * = anagram What a lovely day this has been. Yesterday’s … Read more >>
Independent 6757/Virgilius
The 2008 US Open Golf Championship starts today at the Torrey Pines course in San Diego, CA. Virgilius commemorates this fact in his usual inimitable style. Across 1 S,T,N in ACE 4 (EGG … Read more >>
Guardian 24413 Paul – “Wat, Watt, What ?”
Harder than the average Paul today – or maybe my brain is slow in sympathy with this BT Broadband connection. ACROSS 8 THERE ARE NO FLIES ON HIM – tracksuit bottoms rarely come … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 956 by Quixote (8 June 2008)
This appeared in the IoS on the day that Don Manley’s guide to cryptic crosswords was given out free with the paper. I thought perhaps some of those new solvers might turn to … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,782 by Cincinnus
I found this Cincinnus distinctly more difficult than I am used to. Did others feel the same? It carries on his elegant quality with great clues such as 13A, 19A, 5D and 24D. … Read more >>
Independent 6,756 – Dac
More great stuff from the mid-week master, with some class clues along the way. A very enjoyable way to spend a bus journey to work. Across 1 CASELOAD – CASE,LOAD – “Bar work” … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,791 – Cinephile
Common abbreviations used dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade * = anagram What a fantastic day this has been. In … Read more >>
Guardian 24412/Gordius – self-expression
A clever &lit and near &lit or two made this a pleasant pastime to enjoy alone. As it were. Especially, 16D. Although there’s the obligatory Britclue which escapes me (13A). Across 1 TRANCE … Read more >>
Independent 6755/Merlin
A very pleasant crosword from Merlin – several nice clues. I didn’t find him so difficult as usual. Across 1 NAPS – (span)rev. 3 TOUCH-ME-NOT? – this seems to be the only plant that fits, … Read more >>