As usual an enjoyable and sound crossword from Dac Phi (my apologies for calling Phi Dac — I have a suspicion that this isn’t the first time I’ve done this. Well they do both have three letters in their name. I must cure my Dac-obsession.). I found it a bit tricky in places, but once a clue had been solved, there seemed to be no reason for the difficulty. Many of these answers are so neat that they can be explained in a single short expression.
Year: 2015
Guardian 26,560 – Crucible
I got off to a quick start in the NW corner, but then slowed down somewhat, even with the help of the useful 4d. Quite an “arty” puzzle, with two writers and two … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,919 by WANDERER
A brilliant and superb puzzle from Wanderer today. I really enjoyed solving this every minute of the way, and while there are still a couple of clues that I need help parsing with, doesnt take anything away from the really nice afterglow of a good solve. Thanks Wanderer for an absolute treat today. There is a mini-theme around Russia / Russians but a quick googling didnt turn up anything significant related to today’s date – anybody with any ideas here?
S & B Cambridge – puzzle by Dalibor
Dalibor’s puzzle for the day can be found here: Dalibor @ Cambridge and featured a double mini theme built around 10 across.
Independent 8905 / Hob
An intriguing puzzle from Hob today. It was only when writing up the blog that we realised there was a theme…. But the thematic references are in the clues, not the … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,918 by PETO
A good, fair puzzle. Thanks, Peto (love the name, by the way).
Guardian Cryptic 26559 Paul
(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.) A fun crossword with nice misdirections, … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26559 with Picture Quiz
(Please post comments on ONLY the picture quiz hereinbelow. To post comments on the crossword puzzle, please click here.) A fun crossword with nice misdirections, and surfaces. A sort of Paulesque mini-thread ties … Read more >>
S & B Cambridge – puzzle by Ballard
This puzzle which can be found here: Ballard @ Cambridge , is a joint effort of Serpent (aka Skipjack) and Gervase. The first letters of their real names lead to J.G. , hence Ballard.
S & B Cambridge – puzzle by Mitz
For those who still want to give it a go, the crossword by Mitz can be found here: Mitz @ Cambridge . It is a puzzle with some cross references, also one that reminds us of the fact that there’s an election coming up soon.
Financial Times 14,909 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword / Apr 20, 2015
I did this puzzle the Day After (… the Cambridge S&B). Either it was that or the fact that I solved only Independent crosswords the week before, but I thought this was perhaps as hard as Dante / Rufus can get. An unusual grid too – no less than eight words with 10+ letters.
Financial Times 14,908 by Dogberry
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of April 18, 2015 What a fine puzzle! I enjoyed this playful crossword very much. Many thanks to Dogberry. My clue of the week is 1d (MEA … Read more >>
S & B Cambridge – the crosswords
At the Cambridge S&B several crosswords were handed out, some of these especially written for the occasion.
I decided once more to blog these puzzles, in a neutral way (without giving a personal view) and based on the setters’ own explanations.
So, don’t be surprised to see some new names crawling around the familiar ones.
Any feedback will be very much appreciated.
Financial Times 14,917 by HAMILTON
There is one clue that I cannot fathom. Any help appreciated. Thanks Hamilton.
Independent 8,904 / Quixote
Today sees a rare Wednesday outing for Quixote and a rare opportunity for me to blog a sample of his work. I found this quite straightforward by Quixote standards, on a par with … Read more >>