More of the good stuff from Paul, inventive and irreverant as usual.
Month: October 2014
Guardian 26,399 / Paul
A pretty straightforward but very enjoyable puzzle from Paul. In a lot of cases, I got the answer immediately, from the definition – leaving some interesting wordplay to work out. Then again, there … Read more >>
Independent 8745 / Phi
As happens most Fridays in The Independent, the puzzle is set by Phi. There are a number of pairs of Christian names in this puzzle – all the four pairs … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,761 / Bradman
Bradman has been appearing regularly on a Friday in recent months so it didn’t come as a surprise to see him today. As is generally the norm with this setter, there was nothing … Read more >>
Independent 8,744 by Klingsor
I always enjoy Klingsor’s crosswords. They provide quite a 26a but all is fair and amusing and one can always explain the clues afterwards: indeed, judging by the number of answers written down for me to look at and work out the parsing, the answers are often ahead of their explanation.
There may well be a Nina here but, surprise surprise, it’s quite lost on me. There looked as if there might possibly be a pangram, but some letters are missing. With these rather demanding crosswords I’m always so relieved to complete them that the final flourish is beyond me.
Definitions underlined.
Financial Times no.14,760 by Orense
The customary class act from Orense.
Guardian 26,398 by Pasquale
Fun and very tough, this took me ages. Got stuck in the bottom left, and my last ones in were unfamiliar words guessed and checked…
Financial Times 14,751 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword/Oct 13 Another elegantly clued crossword from Crux. No blog without one or two discussion points, however nothing to be upset about. Smooth start of the week for which thanks to … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,750 by Magwitch
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 4, 2014 I am getting used to Magwitch’s cluing style and managed to complete this puzzle more quickly than the earlier ones I blogged. I … Read more >>
York S&B — itinerary
Here are maps of the pubs — a bit low-res for upload purposes, I’m afraid. I hope they’re legible. I can send a PDF if you email me directly; or maps will be … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,759 by ALBERICH
Very enjoyable puzzle, some of it easy and some of it pretty tricky – something for everyone. Thanks Alberich.
Guardian 26,397 – Chifonie
As usual with Chifonie, very straightforward clueing, with lots of charades; a good puzzle for beginners that would fit well (and better than some) in the Quiptic spot. Thanks to the setter. … Read more >>
Independent 8743 / Dac
Another great puzzle from Dac – as usual, smooth surfaces, a good range of types of wordplay, some crafty misdirections and only one word we had not come across before. What more can … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1355: Holy Inappropriate by Lato
LATO is a regular setter in the Inquisitor series and he always provides a good challenge. The preamble told us that "12 of the thematic entries represent fortunately imaginary scenarios … Read more >>
Independent 8,742 / Scorpion
Scorpion has the honour of occupying the Tuesday slot this week. The Tuesday puzzle often involves a theme or a Nina, I have spotted two potentials themes. Firstly, eight entries contain double letters … Read more >>