Guardian Prize 26,005 / Brummie
I get a slight sinking feeling, when scanning a puzzle before starting to solve it, when I see several long clues, especially when they also turn out to refer to each other. Either … Read more >>
Month: July 2013
Independent 8356/Phi
Phi goes on and on producing these very pleasant crosswords. At the moment there are some here I simply can’t understand, but let’s hope that by the time I’ve finished doing the blog … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1220
32across is highly original Across 1 Plunder old equipment, seizing pot stick SWAGGER CANE SWAG plunder CAN (pot) in GERE (old equipment) 11 Crude denunciation in use no longer … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,375 by Falcon
A real challenge which includes some clever double definitions Across 1 CLASS ACT outstanding performer CLASS (form) ACT (play) 5 HOSTEL lodging house HOST (crowd) EL (the Spanish) 10 … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic N° 26,010 by Qaos
The puzzle may be found at http://www.guardian.co.uk/crosswords/cryptic/26010. It took me a while to find my way into Qaos’ style, but then the answers came readily for the most part. There is an impressive … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1078 Before and After by Kcit
Quite a complex preamble – 9 unclued entries, 11 with redundant words and 5 with redundant phrases and if that isn’t enough a central square to complete at the end. This was certainly … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,374 by Orense
A typically solid and enjoyable puzzle from Orense today. Nothing too problematic, but several stand-out clues and a few novel and ingenious mechanisms – so thank-you, Orense. ACROSS 1. SUPINE Reversal of US [American] … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26009 Philistine
Eff-ing inventive! Pardon my fanners but that’s feant to be high praise. The clues may not have been difficult, but the enjoyment was in deciphering the key clue. So in addition to all … Read more >>
Independent 8355 / Nestor
It’s Thursday so we expected a tricky solve……. There was some really good clueing which was not surprising, given that the setter was Nestor. However we were and still are, completely stumped by … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,365 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Jul 15 Gentle start of the FT week, this Dante puzzle. Although over all too soon, still enjoyable enough. Definitions are underlined wherever possible and/or appropriate. Across 1 ASH BIN Refuse-collector maybe … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,364 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of July 13, 2013 I found this puzzle fairly easy and very satisfying. My favourite clue is 23A (DEFINITION) with runners up 28A (RELAY RACE), 29A (BEFUDDLE), … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,373 / Cinephile
Apologies for the late appearance of this post. PeeDee asked me to cover for him on the 10th and 16th but he should have been back today. Unfortunately I had some problems with my … Read more >>
Guardian 26,008 / Brendan
A pleasant surprise to find Brendan’s name on this puzzle, with another ingenious theme, succinctly indicated at 19 ac. I found the solving of this rather easier than usual for a Brendan but … Read more >>
Independent 8,354 / Dac
Dac is occupying the Wednesday slot again this week, as you might expect. Speaking to a fellow solver about Dac’s puzzles last week, he said that he always comes back to a puzzle … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1290: As the 1 Across Said by Wiglaf
The preamble stated “Each of 22 clues contains one word superfluous to the solving. The initial letters of these words form, in clue order, part of a quotation and its author. The other … Read more >>