Quite a puzzle from Io.
Month: September 2014
Independent 8707 / Dac
Dac, as usual, has provided us with a fair challenge for a Wednesday. There were no really obscure words. SÉMILLON (19 across) is not a wine I drink very often but I was … Read more >>
Guardian 26,361 by Pasquale
Struggled with parts of this, especially in the NW. Plenty of the Don’s usual wit and elegance – favourites were 9ac, 5dn and 6/24
Inquisitor 1349: Walk This -> Way by Ifor
The preamble for Ifor’s puzzle – Walk This ¬>Way told us that "Row clues must each be divided at some point and the parts used to generate two answers. Each must be modified … Read more >>
Independent 8,706 by Morph
An enjoyable crossword as usual from Morph. There is one that I can’t parse but no doubt someone will explain.
I found this so difficult that by the end I was just relieved to be there, even though there were still one or two that I wasn’t comfortable with. By then all thoughts of hunting for a Nina, which I’ve now done unfruitfully, were out of the window.
Definitions underlined.
Guardian 26,360 – Nutmeg
This was another of those looks-hard-at-first-but-comes-out-nicely-once-you-get-going puzzles, which is just the kind I like, so thanks to Nutmeg for the entertainment. For those who missed it, Nutmeg (Margaret Irvine) appeared on Woman’s Hour … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,722 by PABUS
A warm welcome to PABUS is in order from what I can see. Apologies if this is not true.
Guardian Quiptic 773 by Hectence
The Manchester City fan, guinea pig keeper and cinema lover returns to the Quiptic slot with a finely crafted puzzle designed for those just embarking on what will no doubt be a torrid affair with the cryptic arts. The jaded old punters who just want a quickie behind the bike shed will find some satisfaction here too.
Guardian 26,359 by Chifonie
Well, that was a struggle, very hard work and thought for a while it was going to beat me.
Independent 7177/Phi – online version
We’re having quite a kerfuffle this morning. Because of ‘technical difficulties’, the puzzle in the paper by Phi isn’t the same as this one. So having never blogged a Phi puzzle before, I’ve … Read more >>
Independent 8705/Phi – paper version
Phi on a Monday? And we have a note in the paper saying that the online version is different ‘for technical reasons’. What’s occurring? Well, what’s occurring is another fine crossword from … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,278
A very tough week, I thought. Plenty of nice long entries to work through though, which was pleasing. I think I’ve managed to explain everything this week, though I can’t claim to have … Read more >>
Azed 2204
Fairly straightforward from the master. Managed to solve in less than 2 hours (with frequent trips to TBRB). Definitions underlined. Across 1 Confirmed philistine, I’m backward, unaccompanied by substance (10) MI,SOLO,GIST … Read more >>
Everyman 3543/31 August
Another sound as a pound puzzle from Everyman. Struggled with the bottom half this morning. It’s all there, though: when in doubt, read the instructions. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,280 by Hypnos
Sound clues and an enjoyable solve. Thanks Hypnos.