Azed 1920 – tough one
An Azed of above-average difficulty this time, with I think what must be a higher-than-usual proportion of rare and obscure words, though in many cases the woprdplay was helpful in leading to the … Read more >>
Month: March 2009
Guardian 24,647 (Sat 14 Mar)/Araucaria – Twin pity
Solving time: A couple of days (10dn and 14dn wrong). Not in one sitting, I ought to add. In fact two thirds of this came out pretty quickly, but I then hit a … Read more >>
Guardian 24652 – Araucaria
Really struggled with this at first, but almost got there in the end – couldn’t get 7dn without cheating. Not sure I have time now to do all of the clues justice, but … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,030 / Alberich
What can I say!? For me an almost perfect crossword with excellent surfaces for virtually all the clues, a pleasing degree of variety and a good balance between ‘starter’ clues and the more … Read more >>
Beelzebub 995 (15/03/09)
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. This was one of my favourite Beelzebubs since I started blogging them here. It was as satisfying as ever, with lots of exciting new words, … Read more >>
Independent 6,997 by Phi
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. What a week for us Independent solvers. I’m a little relieved to have drawn the Friday, all things considered. That said, I felt the pressure, … Read more >>
Independent 6992/Nimrod (Prize puzzle 16-03-09)
Across 7/25/4 NINE TILL FIVE – “when on duty” is the def, and “Norma Bolton” is a reference to the clue numbers of those answers – 9d and 5d respectively. 8 (I FOUND … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 853: Deepest Affections by Kruger
Clues were given in alphabetical order and had to be entered where they would fit in the grid. When arranged in convetional order the initial letters would give instructions, and you then had … Read more >>
Inquisitor 115 – In Memoriam by Schadenfreude
Solving time: about 2 hours, with reference help This puzzle presented thematic material in a novel way in the grid, and from each clue. We were told that the perimeter contained a writer … Read more >>
Independent 6996 by Mordred
This was a marvellous crossword, many thanks, Mordred. Great clues all through, very difficult (solving time, 53 mins) but very satisfying to finish. There’s also quite a subtle Nina (hidden message not necessary … Read more >>
Guardian 24,651/Paul
Either this was a very difficult puzzle, or I just wasn’t on Paul’s wavelength today. It took me ages to get started, and things didn’t get much better even when I’d finally got … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 996 by Quixote (15 March 2009)
I find Quixote the easiest of the Indy setters – I solved this in 11 mins. I recommend it, along with Everyman in the Observer, to those thinking of first dipping their toes … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,029/Flimsy
I hope that my appraisal of this puzzle is not jaundiced by having solved it in something of an already bleary-eyed mood. I found this to be an balanced blend of innovative ideas, … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,020 – Cincinnus
Monday Prize Crossword 9th March 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,019 by Cinephile
FT Weekend prize puzzle from March 7 Cinephile brings us a mix of some clever clues (23A, 25A, 26A, 15D), some pedestrian ones (1D), a couple of familiar ones (15A, 17D) and a … Read more >>