Guardian 26,071 / Bonxie
A fun puzzle from Bonxie – probably on the easy side for a prize puzzle, but very enjoyable to work through. Thanks to NeilW for pointing out something I missed: there are lots … Read more >>
Month: October 2013
Financial Times 14,441 by Bradman
Not an easy solve – most satisfying Across 1 WELL-WISHER dd 6 DATA stuff in computer A TAD< (a bit back) 9 OOPS-A-DAISY sorry OO (love x 2) PS … Read more >>
Guardian 26,076 by Arachne
Tough, but excellent puzzle on a topical theme. Plenty of clever clues and surfaces, and I groaned aloud at 1dn. [There is a thematic nina around the edge of the grid, going clockwise.] … Read more >>
Independent 8422 / Tees
For anyone surprised to find a Tees puzzle on a Phiday, please have a look at yesterday’s blog. Posa turns out to be Phi in disguise!! This was an enjoyable solve, with several … Read more >>
Independent 8,421 / Posa
Today’s offering is by a compiler whose work I have not knowingly encountered before. One always approaches the work of a “new” setter with a sense of eager anticipation, tinged with nervous anxiety … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,440 by Gozo
A splendid puzzle, this, from Gozo, with a decidedly bookish flavour (a theme which was right up my street, but may have left others tearing their hair). Technically, not a difficult solve, but … Read more >>
Guardian 26,075 – Gordius
My second Gordius In two weeks: regular readers may be aware that he is not exactly my favourite setter, so I will just say that this is fairly typical of his style, though … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,431 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword/Sep 30 An overall enjoyable offering from Crux which may be found here. That said, as so often with Crux, I wasn’t very keen on the cryptic definitions while there were altogether … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,430 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of September 28, 2013 This puzzle has a few clues that I found challenging: 7D (TUTTI), 9A (PRUNE) and 24A (OARSMEN). My top clues are 1D (HOPELESS), … Read more >>
Crossword Event – London – 26th November
Tom Johnson (aka Gozo, Busman et al) has asked me to post the following announcement: The editorial team at Prospect magazine is inviting its readers, crossword solvers and setters to its offices to … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,439 by Monk
I found this a very tricky puzzle, one answer I still can’t fathom. Thanks Monk for keeping the grey cells active. Across 1 TRAPPIST Brother’s reportedly drunk on gin (8) PIST sounds like … Read more >>
Guardian 26,074 by Paul
Many thanks to Gaufrid for covering for me last week, Paul presents a bit of a “marmite” puzzle I expect. Football haters will not be impressed by all the football grounds spread around … Read more >>
Independent 8420 / Dac
Dac continues to produce crosswords that give a good deal of pleasure and satisfaction to solvers. There are rarely any gimmicks, Ninas or tricks. Having said that, I spent a … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1301: Epitaph by Ferret
The preamble told us that ‘the author associated with a well-known character appears in the initial grid, depicting a gravestone. Where an answer contains any of three thematic letters, the wordplay in the … Read more >>
Independent 8,419 by Scorpion
There seems to have been something of a mix-up because this puzzle was apparently on the website yesterday, so I was unsure what was going to be there today. Was I going to … Read more >>