Guardian Prize 26,148 / Paul
[Two blogs of Paul puzzles from me in as many days – but the following was actually written first, being last Saturday’s Prize crossword. It has none of the Pauline schoolboy humour that … Read more >>
Month: January 2014
Independent 8494 by Nimrod (Saturday Prize Puzzle 4 January 2014)
After the veritable smorgasbord of fancy themed and Nina’d centenary/Christmassy puzzles across all sources over the past few weeks, Nimrod brings us back down to basics with a good, honest hard-working cryptic prize puzzle…a … Read more >>
Inquisitor Review 2012-13, part 2: the Results
Groundhog Year Many thanks to everyone who voted. The fact that around half of the 52 puzzles received at least one vote reflects the diversity and general enjoyment of the puzzles, and the … Read more >>
Independent 8,499 by Phi
As always, Phi has given us a pleasant and sound crossword. He usually has a Nina of some sort, but his Ninas are nearly always too obscure for me and they make no difference … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,516 by ORENSE
I had fun solving this grid from Orense – a couple of gems that I quite liked solving were 13ac and 2d. However, the parsing for a couple of clues still eludes me … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic N° 26,153 by Arachne
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26153. Arachne in fine form, including one clue (18D) that beats me. Across 1. Advancing or retreating, it is in bad odour (8) POSITING An envelope (‘in’) … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,515 by Peto
I’m bound to say, I’m afraid, that I didn’t enjoy this puzzle all that much: the complicated constructions, unhelpful grid and occasional questionable definition made it a bit of a slog. I’m ready … Read more >>
Guardian 26,152 / Paul
A fairly typical Paul puzzle, with some of his trademark schoolboy humour and a mixture of quite straightforward charades and double definitions, together with some more complicated and misleading constructions. An enjoyable solve … Read more >>
Independent 8498 / Donk
Wow! It took a second or two for us to realise that the repletion of the pairs of across clues was not a ghastly printing error, but an amazing feat of setting – … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,507 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword/Dec 30 After two Dantes we were likely to get a Crux and yes indeed! Did I like this puzzle? Not sure. My solving partner didn’t like the puzzle as a … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,506 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 28, 2013 I found this puzzle more challenging than most but also highly satisfying. While 17D (TANGERINE) stands out as a particular gem, I think … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,514 by MUDD
An sound puzzle from Mudd with an interesting grid. I would describe this as a run-of-the-mill puzzle from Mudd, but his talent shows that every-day fare not have to be dull fare. Thank … Read more >>
Guardian 26,151 by Chifonie
Lots of fun clues and neat surfaces from Chifonie. Favourites were 10ac, 11ac, 23ac and 18dn. Across 7 Outfitter is more flexible when holding interest (8) SUPPLIER =”Outfitter”. SUPPLER=”more flexible” around I[nterest] 9 … Read more >>
Independent 8,497 / Dac
The year may well have changed, but it appears that Dac is still here to accompany our Wednesday mornings, thankfully. I progressed at a fairly measured pace through this puzzle, solving the longer … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1314: Rhyme by Schadenfreude
A relatively short rubric: Solvers are to enact a rhyme, leaving the grid with twelve empty cells. The wordplay generated by one clue overlooks five consecutive letters which carry out a supporting role … Read more >>