Guardian 26,093 / Arachne
Yet another box of delights from Arachne, bursting with the wit and ingenuity that make the name on the puzzle almost unnecessary. Laugh out loud moments with 21ac, 22ac and 27ac and 5dn … Read more >>
Month: October 2013
Financial Times no.14,458 by Gaff
A minor masterpiece, this, from Gaff. I had a bit of a struggle with the NW corner, but in the end this was a fun and satisfying solve. Thank-you, Gaff. The T that has … Read more >>
Independent 8439 / Klingsor
Klingsor has given us an enjoyable crossword today with only one entry that I have only rarely seen before. I liked the surface of many of today’s clues. In particular, … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,449 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Oct 21 Some solvers complain about Dante using too many cryptic and double definitions, but here we have no less than 14 straightforward charades (A+B(+C)) – outnumbering the CDs, DDs and full anagrams … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,448 by Falcon
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 19, 2013 I found this Falcon fairly easy but had to look up a couple of things (such as ‘saic’ and ‘vis’). My favourite clues … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,457 by LOROSO
A great puzzle and not at all easy (downright hard in fact). All the across clues have the symbol for a chemical element omitted from the wordplay. I liked the way the instructions are … Read more >>
Independent 8,438 by Crosophile
On the last Wednesday of every month Crosophile gives Dac a rest, and although it would be practically impossible to emulate the master he usually makes a pretty good job of coming near, as … Read more >>
Guardian 26,092 by Nutmeg
Not too difficult today, but all very well and fairly clued. I liked 9ac and especially 13dn. Across 1 What tennis players may be doing in the forces (7) SERVING Double def. =”What … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1304: The Great Divide by Samuel
Two unclued entries (top row right, bottom row left) separated by a third (~middle row), and then six links (40 other cells) to be highlighted; extra single letters in the wordplay of 15 … Read more >>
Financial Times 14456 Armonie
Enjoyable puzzle from Tuesday regular, Armonie. The last couple of synonyms to fit with the definitions took a little bit longer. Thanks to Armonie. Definitions are underlined in the clues. [[The pictures at … Read more >>
Guardian 26,091 – Paul
After my embarrassing failure to recognise the signifiance of “missionary” in a clue last week, this time the cheeky 3d leapt straight out at me, so to speak, and gave me a nice … Read more >>
Independent 8437 / Raich
Our first thoughts when we saw the grid were not that favourable! The fact that each corner was somewhat isolated from the others is not something that we particularly like and also there … Read more >>
Guardian 26,090 by Rufus
Good morning, as we start the week with the usual Rufus mix, this blog was delayed by trees on the line. It was good to meet a few of you fine folks on … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 728/Beale
Oh dear. I’m in danger of turning into Mr Grump. This is the second puzzle I’ve blogged this morning that I haven’t liked much. I’m a big fan of the Quiptic and keep … Read more >>
Independent 8436/Alchemi
I didn’t really enjoy this one as much as I have previous puzzles by Alchemi. I found it a bit clunky, with some dubious cluing and less than elegant surfaces. That could just … Read more >>