Azed 1891 – Plain
In Azed’s crosswords there is always an enormous amount of Chambers-checking meanings of words. If this blog were to contain all the unusual definitions it would be three times as long. I’ll assume … Read more >>
Month: August 2008
Guardian 24,475 (Bank Holiday special, Sat 23 Aug)/Araucaria – Bird’s Nest
Solving time: 75 mins, four wrong before using a dictionary (43ac, Q, X and Y). I always seem to enjoy Araucaria’s Bank Holiday specials and this was no exception, so Araucaria fans will … Read more >>
Independent 6824 by Phi
Typical Phi crossword in which everything stacks up. Solving time, 16 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 LES (MISERABLE) S By Victor Hugo 8 COD A Musical term for end … Read more >>
Guardian 24,480 – Rover
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram For once, I did not enjoy a … Read more >>
Financial Times, 12,859 Set by Falcon. August 29,2008
At first glance rather daunting with so many literary allusions. However, the word play was very simple in most cases, and kind Google came to my aid with details. Alan seemed to be … Read more >>
Independent 6819/Bannsider (23-08-08)
Another superb puzzle from Bannsider with some very original and rigourous clueing. Very tough too, but always a pleasure to solve. Across 1 (PRAYER THAT)* – ART THERAPY. Great clue with an excellent … Read more >>
Inquisitor 86 – Unfinished Business by Loda
I am not at all sure that I have got this puzzle right, as my solution to the final step does not seem to meet all the criteria that I would expect it … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,858 by MONK
A crossword from Monk is always a challenge and this was no exception. One or two clues did appear to be recycled, however this was offset by some fine, and sometimes misleading, cluing elsewhere. … Read more >>
Independent 6823/Nimrod
Something of a rarity for me: a Nimrod puzzle where I understand every clue! Across 1 (FILM DUO AT)* in SIGHT – STADIUM OF LIGHT. Quite a tricky one to parse: “originally directing” … Read more >>
Guardian 24,479/Pasquale
Another great crossword from The Don. I find he pitches them just right for daily cryptics – this wasn’t really tough but did require switching on the rusty old brain cells for some … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 967 by Quixote (24 Aug 2008)
Solving time, 16 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 COME TO LIGHT Definition: be revealed Moths seek the light 7 A MASS Mass is another Indy setter 8 COUNT LESS … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,848 – Cincinnus
From FT Saturday Prize Puzzle on 16 August 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,849 – Dante
From Monday Prize Crossword 18 August 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
FT 12,857/Dogberry
A liberal smattering of general knowledge items (operas, chess players, Roman poets), of the type that one is either likely to know readily or have never heard of. I started off at a … Read more >>
Guardian 24,478 (Quantum)
Across 1 IGNITION KEY: & Lit 9 OCTOBER: O + (TO BE in CR) 10 ERASURE: ERA + anagram of USER 11 WHIRLWIND: HIRL (sounds like ‘hurl’) in W-WIND 12 SISAL: anagram of … Read more >>