Independent 7783 by Punk
Gentle, enjoyable Monday puzzle from Punk, a very skilled clue-writer indeed. Found it quite easy and was esp impressed to get words that were unknown to me from the clear wordplay. Solving time, … Read more >>
Month: September 2011
Guardian Quiptic 619 Pan
This is a typical Quiptic, thanks to Pan. All quite straightforward. Definitions are underlined in the clues. There are hidden connections in the 3 picture sets. Across 7 Place to sleep has floor covering … Read more >>
Guardian 25,437 / Rufus
It’s Monday, it’s Rufus and I’m saying no more today, except,’Thank you, Rufus’! Across 7 SOFT PEDAL: cryptic definition Edit: I completely missed the anagram [‘regulating’] of ADOPT SELF [thanks, Neil and Geoff] … Read more >>
Cyclops 452: There are things we don’t know we don’t know
Apologies for the late and rather hurried posting — I had this scheduled for yesterday, but got somewhat sidetracked. Across 1 SWISS ROLL National spin — a piece of cake! SWISS = National; … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1126
Pretty smooth run this week ACROSS 1 Support given to cut in board game gets opposing current BACKDRAUGHT BACK + DRAUGHT{S} 10 Commotion – flight has one falling out STIR … Read more >>
Azed 2051
An exceptionally tough Azed this week, with a very high proportion of unfamiliar and downright obscure words. A knowledge of French was required for a couple of clues as well. I confess to … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1127 18 September 2011/Nitsy
You’ll have to put up with me twice today, I’m afraid, since as well as the Everyman, I’m doing my first IoS blog. I won’t comment on the difficulty level, since I’m not … Read more >>
Everyman 3390/19 September 2011
Another gentle but pleasing Sunday morning stroll with Everyman. dd double definition cd cryptic definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed Across 1 Cigarette butt’s gone out, pocketed by … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 25,430 / Araucaria
If I hadn’t seen the name on this puzzle, I think I’d have been rather hard put to it to guess that it was an Araucaria, let alone a Prize [though the appearance … Read more >>
Independent 7776 by Bannsider (Saturday Prize Puzzle 17 September 2011)
No fancy themes or ninas/Ninas from Bannsider this week (or, at least, none that I could see) – just an enjoyable mental work-out for a Saturday morning – and a bit of Saturday … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.984 – Practically Worthless by Lato
On a first reading, the preamble doesn’t give one a lot to go on: “Though they’re far from alone, seven unclued answers according to two others (taken as a pair) 9, which might … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,806 / Loroso
Many delightful solving moments today. The puzzle opened with the line “Definitions in all across clues have something in common”, which was easy enough to decipher. I started with 8a and wondered how … Read more >>
Guardian 25,435 / Araucaria
When I agreed to stand in today I was hoping that I would be solving a puzzle that I could get my teeth into and I have not been disappointed. My progress was … Read more >>
Independent 7781/Phi
As usual a very nice crossword from Phi. Nothing very controversial I think. With Z, J and V clearly visible I suspected a pangram, but I can’t see a Q or an X. Across 8 … Read more >>
Financial Times no.13,805 by SLEUTH
Not at my brightest this morning, despite the sunshine; this took me ten minutes longer than it really should have. A boozy little number from Sleuth: not hugely inspired, but neat enough. And it’s … Read more >>