Cyclops 494: Vicars in uniform
With the usual apologies to anyone who struggled, I found this Cyclops puzzle remarkably easy. For some reason, the one that took me longest was 15d. I think I will nominate 21a/18d as … Read more >>
Month: May 2013
Beelzebub 1,209
The same weekend that Inquisitor is moved into the main paper, Beelzebub benefits from almost double the space we’re used to. The grid is commensurately huge, while the clues remain printed in the … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,211 by eXternal
I think we welcome another new setter to the IoS this week, though I do recall one or two Inquisitors set by eXternal quite recently. This was a good puzzle, which required a … Read more >>
AZED No. 2,135 Plain COMPETITION PUZZLE
Nick: This was perhaps the toughest ‘plain’ puzzle from Azed (other than the ‘specials’) that I have attempted – a definite 10/10 on the hardness scale. But before the blog, something related: Well, … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3474 (5th May)
Lorraine: Good morning to you all. Fairly straight forward Everyman this week, a few clues made me think harder than usual. First clues in, 3 and 8dn, and 18ac. Favourites were, 18,21 and 24ac. … Read more >>
Independent 8285 by Rorschach (Saturday Prize Puzzle 4 May 2013)
I think I have solved all the clues correctly, but I can’t quite explain the parsing/wordplay in all cases. And although I could detect an underlying theme-ette, there were a couple of ‘almost-nina’s … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 25,939 by Tramp
I used to find Tramp puzzles pretty tricky but I think I must be getting on to his wavelength at last. I have not seen any of the Star Wars movies but fortunately … Read more >>
Sloggers and Betters (London) – 23rd May
The annual lunch for Times setters is taking place on 23rd May and this will be followed by a Sloggers and Betters get-together in The Town of Ramsgate (62 Wapping High Street E1) … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,309 by Bradman
Excellent way to start the day Across 1 IMPEACH disparage I’M PEACH 5 STOMATA tiny holes TOMAT[o] (fruit) in SA (it – sex appeal) 9 FIEND monster FRIEND (chum) … Read more >>
Guardian 25,944 – Gordius
Gordius is appearing at strange intervals these days – he used to be fairly predictably every other week, but then we saw him on a Friday and the following Tuesday, and now today … Read more >>
Independent 8290 / Phi
Phi has a theme running through today’s puzzle. Literature is not my strong point, but I managed to dredge up all the relevant Shakespeare CHARACTERs [9 across] from The TEMPEST … Read more >>
Independent 8289/Tees
A rather difficult but enjoyable and so far as I can see utterly sound crossword from Tees (except perhaps for 1dn, about which I shall no doubt be corrected). He has achieved a … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,308 by Redshank
I always enjoy Redshank’s puzzles, although my enjoyment in this instance was tempered by the fact that, having dashed through the NW corner, I spent half an hour staring at the rest of … Read more >>
Guardian 25,943 – Brummie
Fun and challenging, despite the two longer clues falling almost immediately. Favourites were 15a and 3d. Across 8 TERRAPIN =”reptile” (painter)* around R[ex]=”king” 10 STOW =”stuff” [as a verb] rev(WOT’S) – my Chambers … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,299 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Apr 29 Yes, half of the clues were double or cryptic definitions, but this was once more an enjoyable offering from Dante. That said, I am always a bit annoyed when … Read more >>