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Month: May 2009
Guardian 24,706 – Shed
Not really an overall theme today, but a few movie references and some very enjoyable clues. (X) = inserted (x) = removed) * = anagram “” = homophone < = reversed d.d. = … Read more >>
Independent 7,051 by Phi
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. A fairly straightforward one for the most part, I think, although I did have to resort to a bit of cheating to finish it off … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,083 / Mudd
I’m always pleased when I open Friday’s crossword and find I have Mudd to blog about. This was as enjoyable as Mudd consistently is, with some innovative definitions, entertaining wordplay and great clue … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 862: Secret Tribute by Hypnos
Quite a bit going on in this puzzle: a ‘secret’ figure to be discovered from unclued entries, three works to be deduced, two determining how two sets of clues are to be entered, … Read more >>
Inquisitor 124 — Tots by Nitsy
Quite an easy puzzle for me though I didn’t fully understand the theme until the very end despite seeing HENRY JAMES on the main diagonal about half way through. Though solving the clues … Read more >>
Independent 7,050/Scorpion
A nice, tough offering from Scorpion with some very neat surface readings. There seem to be a lot of clues using abbreviations of one kind or another, some of which were a bit … Read more >>
FT 13,082/Viking
An overabundance of reversal devices today but, overall, a satisfying puzzle. I’m far from confident that I’ve plumped for the right guess at 13A though (assuming that’s it’s some kind of cryptic/punning definition?) … Read more >>
Guardian 24,705/Pasquale
Seeing Pasquale’s name is a guarantee of soundly-constructed and witty clues, and this was no exception. Although there were a few slight obscurities it yielded eventually, with the NW corner being the most … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1005 by Quixote (17 May 2009)
I found this a bit tougher than usual from Quixote, solving time 28 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 1 PREMIS(E)S 6 B RAISE 9 CARDINAL WOLSEY (so radically new)* 10 UNHEATED a in … Read more >>
Independent 7046 (Sat 16 May) Eimi – Pride’s progress
Lots of interesting history and other information discovered when I researched the answers that I had to check afterwards. I don’t normally note solving times, but I happened to notice the owl on the … Read more >>
Financial Times13,073 – Falcon
Monday Prize Crossword on 11 May 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,072 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 9 Is Cincinnus making his puzzles more difficult (ESPARTO, CALLUNA, EARNEST meaning pledge)? Or is it just a one-time thing? Or just me? Anyway, more … Read more >>
Guardian 24,704 – Brendan
A nice puzzle by Brendan with all but a few clues linked by the “capital” theme. Plenty of nice surfaces, and quite a few hidden clues. Across 1 PEKING PE KING, and the … Read more >>
Independent 7049 by Dac
A joy to solve yet another excellent puzzle from Dac. Solving time, 17 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 1 CAN OF WORMS Double definition dividing elegantly at this/problem. First answer in the puzzle … Read more >>