Independent 6986/Scorpion (Prize puzzle 07-03-09)
Scorpion has a reputation as one of the tougher Indie setters but I found this pretty easy. Good fun to solve too, which is the most important thing after all. Just two queries … Read more >>
Month: March 2009
Inquisitor 114 – Monkey Runs by Dysart
We were told that the initial letters of extra words in twenty-two (of forty-seven) clues would spell out the source of a quotation explaining what happens to seven answers. These initial letters would … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 852 — Growth by Rustic
I might be being unduly unfair but I was dissatisfied with this puzzle overall. On the plus side the idea was neat and simple and many of the clues were good and relatively … Read more >>
Azed 1919 – Have a go …
Those who think Azed is beyond them might like to try this puzzle. I solved it in pretty short order, and I’m due to blog it on Sunday. I’m going to mention points … Read more >>
Independent 6,990 by Morph
A mixed week for me here. A handful of very good clues, some others (especially the dds) which I could take or leave, and a few I can’t fully explain. There’s a “cattle” … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,023 / Mudd
It has been some time since I have had quite as many quibbles about clues in an FT crossword. These made the solving process, for me at least, somewhat protracted and, in places, difficult. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,645 (Paul)
This was far from straightforward with some quick tricky decoding. Still not convinced by some of my efforts. Across 9 HOOVERING: (OVER + IN) in HOG (corner) 10 OUTDO: a kind of double … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 995 by Quixote (8 Mar 2009)
Solving time, 19 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 8 LAP IDA TED pal< Archaic word meaning ‘pelted with stones’ that I worked out from the wordplay, verifying after. 9 D(rum)ROLL … Read more >>
FT 13,014 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword on 2 March 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,013 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 28 A typically fine Cincinnus puzzle is what we have here. Across 1. HOT PANTS – anagram of TOP in HANTS (where Jane Austen was … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,022 / Monk
A most enjoyable puzzle with, as is usual for Monk, some excellent surfaces. Unfortunately I am unable, as yet, to explain the wordplay in 14d. Edit: now explained by Nmsindy, see below. . . Across … Read more >>
Independent 6989 by Dac
Excellent puzzle from Dac, as usual, solving time 14 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 HALV(e) AH Pleased to work out a new word from the clear wordplay. Turkish sweetmeat … Read more >>
Guardian 24,644/Rover
Fairly typically for Rover (who I think of as a kind of Rufus-lite) this started off quite easily, but was rather spoilt for me by some vague and unsatisfactory cryptic definitions, especially 9ac. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,643 – Gordius
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Thank goodness for crossing letters or I … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,021 / Dante
I was afraid that for my first blog I would draw a puzzle that left me stumped. No worries: this was a very straightforward offering from Dante. There were a couple of pleasing clues, … Read more >>