Month: August 2017

Enigmatic Variations No.1290 – Good Auspices by Charybdis

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‘In GOOD AUSPICES, answers to unclued entries in single-digit positions are thematically related; those at 11 (so they say) belong to a later set. Unchecked and mutually cross-checking letters of these unclued entries could spell WIND IS UP – I HALT DOZINGS. A seven-letter word which might be seen during the transition must be appropriately coloured (in whatever manner), as must two linked identical squares of four cells each. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.’

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Independent 9,625 by Phi

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This seemed to be a much harder Phi than usual. Once done it all seemed simple enough, as witness the simple parsing of almost all the answers. But in many cases the ‘synonyms’ that we had to find in the wordplay were not at all obvious. All perfectly fair, though.

The difficulty also was exacerbated by the large number of clues that required some sort of subtraction; at a quick count I found seven of them.

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Financial Times 15,631 by ALBERICH

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A thoroughly enjoyable, not too difficult challenge from Alberich. Several clues with excellent construction, in my opinion. A couple of words that I didnt know but were clued quite cleanly. Thanks Alberich, for a pleasant workout.

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Guardian Cryptic 27278 Brummie

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I was a bit slow getting into it, but it turned out alright. Thanks to Brummie. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 8 Red, filthy dung-filled town (8) BURGUNDY : Anagram of(filthy) … Read more >>

Guardian 27,276 / Shed

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  This is my fourth Shed blog in a row – but I’m not complaining. His appearances are getting steadily more regular, which has to be good news. It has been generally agreed … Read more >>