Month: October 2018

Guardian Prize 27,633 / Boatman

by

My first reaction on seeing the name on this puzzle was, ‘That’ll teach me to complain about having so many Paul Prize puzzles to blog!’. The ‘Special instructions’ [which always make my heart … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1350 – The Ultimate Prize by Cooper

by

“In 11 clues, the wordplay leads to the answer and an additional letter not to be entered into the grid; in clue order these letters give THE ULTIMATE PRIZE. Four entries clued without definition are associated surnames, three of which stand in the way of those seeking the prize; a fourth such surname (six letters) must be highlighted, as must be the two normally clued entries which form a cryptic indication of the puzzle’s theme. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, but does not contain one entry that can be found in the Oxford Dictionary of English.”

Read more >>

Independent 9,984 by Phi

by

What can one say about Phi that is new? As always he has produced something that is uncontroversial, as I found when writing the blog: every clue can be explained simply, even though it is not always simple to solve in the first place. I thought this would be a record early blog, but, as so often seems to happen when I’m blogging, mild computer problems have caught up with me.

Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.

Read more >>

Guardian 27,638 – Puck

by

Puck never disappoints, and here is another fine example… … with a mini(?) theme given by the song at 11,26, which was written by HARRY WARREN and MACK GORDON. I can’t see any … Read more >>

Guardian 27,635 / Picaroon

by

  A highly entertaining puzzle from Picaroon, with the usual meticulous cluing and interesting and witty surfaces, with misdirection all over the place. Most enjoyable – many thanks to Picaroon. Definitions are underlined in … Read more >>