Independent 7238 by Anax
Very difficult puzzle, solving time 70 mins. Some excellent clues, some very intricate wordplay and a seasonal theme. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 TWO-STAR (owt)< Star guiding to BETHLEHEM (7 … Read more >>
Month: December 2009
Guardian 24892 / Rufus
The usual excellent Monday crossword from Rufus – a few somewhat tricky clues, I thought, and lovely surface readings throughout. I hope everyone had an excellent Christmas. (I’m afraid I won’t be able … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3299 (December 20th)
Lorraine: Took me a while to get going this week probably due to a hangover, but once I got started there was no stopping me. Thank you once again Mr. Everyman for an … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,034 (13/12/09)
This one was tackled the East Coast Mainline, so with no access to aids. Sitting down to blog, I see that while I didn’t quite finish the puzzle, I did put in a … Read more >>
Independent 7232 by Phi (Sat 19-Dec)
This was surprisingly easy for a Prize Puzzle, especially as I was half-expecting a Christmas special, and Phi can produce some tough nuts when he wants to. But that’s not to say it … Read more >>
Inquisitor 155 Well, well! by Charybdis
As this is blog is due for publication on Christmas day, may we wish our readers a Happy Christmas and a successful Inquisitorial New Year! Some entertaining clues (we particularly liked “Neat expression” … Read more >>
Independent 7,236 by Phi
Something of a seasonal treat for us today – a special, thematic Thursday Phi. Wordplay in many of the clues leaves us a letter short. The collected missing letters can be rearranged to … Read more >>
Guardian 24,891 / Araucaria
Some typical Araucaria fare today which resulted in quite a few ticks on my copy of the puzzle (1ac, 13ac, 3dn, 8dn and 15dn had the largest ones). I struggled trying to parse … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1036 by Quixote – 20 Dec 2009
Puzzle with many seasonal references, solving time, 21 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 STABLE Double definition, ref Nativity 4 HAMPER Double definition 10 DRA (PER) Y rep< 11 EM … Read more >>
Independent 7235 by Dac
A puzzle which I found a mixture of very easy and quite difficult clues, solving time 30 mins. Great stuff as always from Dac. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 RESIGNED … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,267 / Cincinnus
I don’t remember Cincinnus appearing on a Wednesday before. Fortunately this was one of his easier puzzles as I am very short of time due to an emergency appointment at the dentist before … Read more >>
Guardian 24890 / Crucible
This is the fourth crossword by Crucible for the Guardian, as far as I can tell. (This setter more frequently appears as Radian in the Independent.) There are plenty of clever (and tricky … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,259 – Falcon
Monday Prize Crossword on 14 December 2009 As always, a gentle start to the FT week with clues none too difficult ACROSS 1 PANCETTA *(pate cant) A new dish for me 6 SIMONY … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,266 / Viking
Apologies yet again for a late post. It appears that the scheduled substitute has not been able blog today so I am stepping in as second-sub. Nothing too difficult in this one and … Read more >>
Independent 7,734/Nestor
I had a quick look at this online late last night and managed to solve a few clues on a first read-through, so I didn’t think it would be too much trouble when … Read more >>