Azed 1904
A moderately difficult Azed, which I somehow found more of a slog and less of a pleasure than usual, though as always it’s scrupulously fair and there are some excellent clues. Key: dd … Read more >>
Month: November 2008
Guardian 24553 (Sat 22 Nov)/Shed – New arrival?
Solving time: 20:43, two mistakes (23ac and 5dn) I found this fairly difficult but enjoyable. A number of the answers, including the two I guessed incorrectly (EPISEMON and ERYSIPELAS), had ambiguous wordplays, which … Read more >>
Inquisitor 99 THE MAN OF THE HIGH CASTLE by Phi
My apologies for the late arrival of this blog. I have been having problems getting into Google Calendar and so was not aware that it was my turn! Another finely thought-out puzzle from … Read more >>
Independent 6902/Phi
A nice 4-based crossword from Phi today. Across 1 THE MOONSTONE — them (not so)* one — OK once one has 4 8 FLORIDA — (fair old)* — excellent &lit. 9 V AUNTED … Read more >>
Guardian 24558 / Chifonie
I normally find Chifonie very difficult, so I was pleased to get through about half today’s puzzle very fast – the rest of the clues (mostly in the bottom half) took quite a … Read more >>
Independent 6897/Phi (22-11-08 Prize Puzzle)
It’s not often we see a preamble in an Indy puzzle, and I’m not really sure we needed one here. If the X in the thematic clues was replaced by 7 then surely … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,937 by Sleuth
Smiffy is busy enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday today so you will have to put up with me instead. There was nothing particularly difficult in this offering from Sleuth so I haven’t seen a … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 838 – Definition or by Xanthipe
Overall, a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on wet Sunday afternoon. I thought some of the normal clues were a little on the easy side but this was compensated for … Read more >>
Guardian 24, 557 set by Logodaedalus
I don’t remember seeing a Logodaedalus puzzle for a while, so it’s a welcome return. I found this pretty straightforward, with some nice surfaces and anagrams, although I have a couple of quibbles. … Read more >>
Independent 6901/Mordred
A very good puzzle from Mordred – tricky, but not impenetrably so, and good fun to solve. There’s a Nina too, in the 8th row of the grid, although I’m not sure what … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES NO. 12,936 set by ALBERICH, Nov27, 2008
An intriguing puzzle which proved less daunting than it seemed at first glance. Two short words in the top left hand corner stumped me most. I have included one or two probable answers without explanation in … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 980 by Quixote (23 Nov 2008)
Only 20 puzzleS to go now till Quixote’s 1000th. Always a very accessible puzzle, solving time, 15 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 CEREAL “Serial” 4 A B ERRANT (ranter)* … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,927 – Mudd
Monday Prize Crossword on 17 November 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,926 by Cinephile
FT Weekend Prize Puzzle from November 15 This proved for me to be the easiest Cinephile puzzle I have done in a long time and one of the best. Across 1. RIGOLETTO – … Read more >>
Independent 6900 by Dac
Harder than usual for Dac, I thought – two brilliant &lit clues involving anagrams and a great puzzle overall – solving time, 36 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 COLOURLESS … Read more >>