Well its Paul so we expect a bit of rudeness and lots of playful word play.
Month: July 2014
Independent 8659 / Dac
It’s Wednesday – it’s Dac This puzzle is a good puzzle for the less experienced solver. I think solvers with long experience of Dac will have found this towards the … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1341: Circling the Square by Ferret
Ferret is a fairly regular setter in the Inquisitor series these days. The puzzle had a preamble that stated "Some cells contain more than one letter, making four objects appear … Read more >>
Independent 8,658 by Phi
When I saw that Phi was appearing on a Tuesday I expected a crossword in his slightly harder mode than usual, which we sometimes see in other places. But no, it seems his regular Friday crossword has simply been shunted to Tuesday.
Why this has happened is anyone’s guess. I won’t even think about what it might be. It’s probably the anniversary of some group’s first no. 1 or something.
As always almost everything seems to be immaculate, with the usual crop of excellent clues. The only problem is my failing to see a Nina. But that’s usual, especially with Phi.
Definitions underlined.
Financial Times 14,674 NEO
This was a puzzle of two parts. Some answers went in straight after reading the clues and for others I had to spend time parsing the wordplay after getting the answers. Thanks to NEO for the welcome workout.
Guardian Cryptic N° 26,312 by Pasquale
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26312. I found this a pleasing mid-level puzzle notable for its cryptic definitions, which are backed up by wordpaly. Across 7,16down. Dramatist can’t reintegrate plays (7,8) TERENCE … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 765 by Provis
The third outing in the Quiptic slot for Provis, whose identity remains a closely guarded secret.
Independent 8657 by Punk
*=anagram [] = removed e.g. char[m]=char ()=abbreviation e.g. A(mpere)=a <=reversed Hom. = homophone The usual entertaining fare from Punk with some inventive cluing devices. As a beer fan, I quite liked 16. 24/8 … Read more >>
Guardian 26,311 / Rufus
Another fairly typical Monday 5dn of nifty anagrams and double and cryptic [some more than others] definitions, with, characteristically, some nautical terms for good measure. Thank you, Rufus, for a pleasant start to … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,270
Another week whereby about two thirds went in unaided, and then the rest put up quite the struggle. I believe I have at least managed to parse everything this week. There are some … Read more >>
Azed 2196 – “Overlaps”
I knew something special was coming up for this month’s competition, because Azed had mentioned in a previous Slip that constructing this one had caused him some trouble. Not surprising, with what are … Read more >>
Everyman 3535/6 July
Everyman has been a bit trickier over the last few weeks, in my opinion. But he’s back this morning to give us a sound and pretty straightforward crossword, which should suit those who … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,272 by Poins
I found the constructions trickier than usual for the IoS but most of the clues had straightforward one-word definitions which meant I filled the grid quickly even if explaining it all took quite a while.
Thanks Poins.
Independent Crossword 8650 by Anax (05-07-2014)
My turn coincides again with Anax’s – I’m sure it will bring a few chuckles. Some lovely stuff here – all very clever, yet nothing that I couldn’t parse. Of the clues : : … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 26,304 by Paul
A Parliamentary theme for this week’s prize puzzle, with references to current Parliamentarians from the three major parties in England.