A real curate’s egg, in that parts of it were indeed excellent…
Month: January 2018
Independent 9758 / eXternal
I heard a short while ago that the scheduled blogger’s internet connection is down so here is a quick analysis of the clues. In the interests of getting this posted without further delay … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,762 – Crux
A Crux crossword was what I expected, a Crux crossword was what I got.
All fairly typical for this setter, a good start of the week.
Less typical was that I failed to complete the puzzle, missing out on one clue and not being able to fully understand another (and one more as it turned out to be).
Quiptic 949 by Moley
Moley’s first outing of the year in the Quiptic slot.
Private Eye (Cyclops / 616) Inappropriate electorate
This looked small after the gigantic Christmas grid. Thanks to Mike for a spectacluar blog for that last time. This one was a gentle start to the year, only 7 to go after … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,412 by Chifonie
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27412.
Everyman 3718
Plenty of charades, anagrams and insertions. Everyman is in town. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed abbreviations are underlined … Read more >>
AZED No 2379
A reasonably straightforward puzzle to solve: but blogging it proved much more challenging.
Independent on Sunday 1456 Silvanus
A relaxing Sunday puzzle. Thanks to Silvanus. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Sweet smell attracts insect (6) HUMBUG : HUM(to smell unpleasant) plus(attracts) BUG(an insect, in general). Defn: A boiled … Read more >>
Independent crossword 9757 by Hob
Lots of black space in the grid – Maybe something is hiding? Well something was, but not in the obvious place of the perimeter. Kate Bush pointed me towards Wuthering Heights – Emily … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,405 by Paul
Lots of clever wordplay to admire in this week’s prize puzzle, but we took issue with a couple of the definitions.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1312: Ranting by Shark
A fairly simple preamble greeted us this week: In RANTING, eight answers must be altered thematically on entry; clues to these answers consist of a definition for the answer, and wordplay leading to … Read more >>
Independent 9,756 / Phi
Phi has provided today’s cruciverbal challenge from his usual Friday home. I found this to be the toughest Phi crossword that I have solved in many a month. I think that I have … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,760 by REDSHANK
An excellent challenge from REDSHANK who brings up yet another delectable Friday offering. A couple of strange words I learnt today but others might have had a faster solving experience given the precise nature of the clues.
Guardian Cryptic 27,410 by Screw
THe puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27410.