Indy puzzles: review of 2011
As in previous years, since 15 sq began in 2006, I’m posting an annual review for the Indy cryptic puzzles (including IoS) giving average solving times for puzzles for each setter. As before, … Read more >>
Month: December 2011
Independent Prize Puzzle 7860 – 24 December 2011 / Radian
There were a few mini themes running through this enjoyable puzzle which was two letters short of a pangram. I can’t see a W or a Q. Turning to the … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 997: Sol by Kruger
A shorter (and less complicated!) preamble than some recent EVs – each clue giving an extra letter, which would spell out an instruction to apply to all answers before entry. I was lucky enough … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,889 / Bradman
From mathematics to religion to slang, Bradman draws from a breadth of topics to craft his clues today. I’m happy to have this puzzle to blog as my last post of 2011. Happy … Read more >>
Guardian 25,519 / Araucaria
A pleasant Araucaria puzzle for my last blog of the year, which was less taxing than it first appeared, since the gateway clue at 5ac was pretty straightforward. There are a number of … Read more >>
Independent 7,865 / Phi
Like many readers, I have been pigging out on crosswords as well as on turkey and mince pies over the past week, with so many Christmas specials to get my teeth into. Why … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,879 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 17 Here is another outstanding puzzle from Cincinnus with some spectacular clues and a few devious cross-clue references (and non-references). My favourites are 1A (KNIGHT), … Read more >>
Independent 7864 / Tees
This was very good stuff from the Tees-er, but far from easy. Experience of solving IQs and the odd Listener definitely helped me piece together a few of these, though I’m struggling with … Read more >>
As we come to the end of another year …
… I would like to extend my thanks to all those involved with Fifteensquared and to the crossword community in general. Firstly a big thank you to the Fifteensquared team members who, during … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,888 / Sleuth
I have come across Sleuth more often as his alter ego, Hypnos, in the Independent, where I have always enjoyed his crosswords. This puzzle comprised the mixed variety of cluing that I enjoy. … Read more >>
Guardian 25,518 – Logodaedalus
Logodaedalus makes only rare appearances in the Guardian – his last puzzle was in July (he also appears as a setter of the Quiptic under his real name of Don Putnam). This one … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,880 – Dante
Monday Prize Puzzle/Dec 19 This was a Dante crossword full of cryptic and double definitions. As ever I did like it (being a real fan of Mr Squires), however I put some question … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,887 by Cinephile
A good straightford offering from Cinephile today, not too easy but not really that hard either. Clue of the day – my favourite clue was 14, 24. Click the ‘vote’ link to vote for your … Read more >>
Independent 7863/Crosophile
Crosophile has produced a very rare Wednesday crossword because Dac is having a well-earned rest, perhaps. I found this a little harder than the setter with whom I am always happiest, and no … Read more >>
Guardian 25,517 – Brendan
This looked quite tricky at first but once the theme became clear it all began to fall into place. 11ac, 14ac, 18ac and 22ac are thematic instructions that are applied to the other … Read more >>