FINANCIAL TIMES 12,840 by PHSSTHPOK
An interesting challenge today with some misleading clues and a few imaginative definitions. Whilst solving I thought that in one or two places the cluing was a little liberal but with hindsight I … Read more >>
Month: August 2008
Independent on Sunday 964 by Quixote (3 Aug 2008)
I’d recommend Quixote’s puzzles to beginners – straightforward wordplay, always bulletproof, excellent surface readings. This I found on the easy side, solving time 12 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 … Read more >>
Guardian 24,461 – Gordius
Took me a while to crack into, but once a few of the longer clues were in, especially 1D, I managed to rattle through most of the rest. I couldn’t spot any theme, … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,830 by Cinephile (26 July)
Just my luck! Two offerings from Cinephile within three days and both on days when I am scheduled for the blog. However, it was again an enjoyable challenge and a thematic element emerged. The … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,831 – Crux
From FT Monday Prize Crossword 28th July 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = … Read more >>
FT 12,839 – …Flock Together
A twitcher-friendly theme today – and not one of my personal strong suits, so I was relieved that the thematic examples used were generally common or garden varieties. I did have to confirm … Read more >>
Guardian 24,460/Araucaria – Man, Oh Man
Apologies for a brief and slightly belated blog. A nice theme involving various hominids, starting with the first three across clues. I needed to look up a few of the synonyms to check … Read more >>
Independent 6,804
Silly me, I forgot that I’d be nowhere near a PC all day today, so I set about solving this one online at midnight in a bid to get it blogged before bed. … Read more >>
Independent 6803 by Phi
I found this quite an easy puzzle, solving time 14 mins. I spotted a Nina (i.e. a hidden message) in the grid. In case solvers wish to look again first, I refer to … Read more >>
Financial Times 12838 / Highlander
We know the words ‘enunciate’ and ‘announce’ but not many of us may be familiar with the one at 6d. However, it’s obtainable easily from wordplay. Seasoned solvers will get all the other … Read more >>
Guardian 24,459 – Chifonie
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite an enjoyable and easy puzzle somewhat … Read more >>
Independent 6802 by Nimrod
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed A clever but tricky puzzle which played on one of the crossword setters’ staples, the doh, re, me notes (the proper name of which is tonic sol-fa). Most of the … Read more >>
Guardian 24,458 – Rufus
If it’s Monday, it must be a Rufus day! And thank the Lord for that! I always enjoy Rufus – his puzzles are often easier to solve but never boring. This one has … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops Crossword 370 – Descent …
… of the one-armed pedant Across 1 KOWTOW K[ens] O[ffice] WOW around T[ime] 1 Across is last to go in again. I think it must be that my brain cell is not warmed … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 61: That’s One… Word, by Paul
A challenging solve, especially for those unfamiliar with Paul’s somewhat libertarian approach; but plenty of fun, and I got through it pretty quickly once I’d solved about four. All answers begin with the … Read more >>