Guardian Quiptic 750 / Beale
A workmanlike puzzle which, for me, lacked any clues with the “wow” factor. Most of the definitions given are from Chambers 12th Edition. Most of the standard abbreviations used in the wordplay are … Read more >>
Month: March 2014
Guardian 26,221 / Rufus
Thanks to Rufus for a characteristic potpourri of anagrams and double and cryptic definitions to start the week. Across 9 Generally where the seas are high (2,3,4) IN THE MAIN Double definition 10 … Read more >>
Independent 8567 by Quixote
This was a well-written puzzle with some excellent surface readings (e.g. 14,4). It was mostly quite accessible, although a few (such as 1 and 7) required a little research to understand the parsing. … Read more >>
Private Eye / Cyclops 517 – Mayhem reporter
This one took more effort than most recent Eye crosswords. It didn’t help that I immediately and incorrectly entered ABSTAINING at 10A – I should have checked the anagram fodder – I did … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3520 (23rd March)
Lorraine: Good morning one and all. Great crossword this week, new to me this week was 4dn. Never heard of hugger-mugger before, it is not often at my age that you get to learn … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1257 Commoner
(Please click here for this same blog but with a picture quiz added. Please do NOT post hereinbelow any comment relating to the picture quiz. Thank you.) Not exactly a pushover for a … Read more >>
Azed 2181
A standard Azed this week with its usual mix of everyday and obscure words, all delivered from precise cluing. There’s always a few clues that give you a foothold, even … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1257 with Picture Quiz
(Please post comments on ONLY the picture quiz hereinbelow. To post comments on the crossword puzzle, please click here.) Not exactly a pushover for a Sunday, but enjoyable, with many fine surface readings. … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,255
Another quite tough week, I found. I had barely half the grid filled before reaching for Chambers. That helped with confirming 16, 24 and 28 and things started to fall in quite smoothly … Read more >>
Independent Crossword 8560 by Nimrod (22-03-2014)
My first blog of spring brings a battle with Nimrod. And quite a battle it proved to be with many novel devices in play in this puzzle especially in the construction of the … Read more >>
Guardian 26,214 / Maskarade
An enjoyable enough prize puzzle from Maskerade; I had a few minor grumbles, but bar a couple of clues with unfamiliar references we found it a pretty easy solve. 1d was my favourite … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1113: Anonymous by Gaston
A relatively rare beast this week… a new EV setter, in the guise of Gaston. Obviously I had no idea whether to expect a toughie or an easy puzzle. I’m going to assume … Read more >>
Guardian 26,219 / Pasquale
The special instructions tell us that all across solutions share a common theme, not further defined. This may prompt the usual comments that such puzzles turn out to be a write-in for the … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,582 / Falcon
A very gentle stroll today requiring, according to my notes, only a single pass through the clues. Not enough of a challenge for my liking but eminently suitable for tyros (provided they like … Read more >>
Independent 8565 / Phi
Firstly, many thanks to Gaufrid for standing in for us while we have been away. It’s Friday so it was no surprise when we saw it was Phi! Thankfully we didn’t find it … Read more >>