Guardian 26,443 – Rufus
I found this harder than usual for a Rufus, perhaps because of the generous (some might say excessive) number of cryptic (7) and double (5) definitions. The NE corner held was the last … Read more >>
Never knowingly undersolved
I found this harder than usual for a Rufus, perhaps because of the generous (some might say excessive) number of cryptic (7) and double (5) definitions. The NE corner held was the last … Read more >>
Despite a few very obvious clues (e.g. 11a, 19d) I found this a bit of a struggle, though I got there in the end, with 12d (unknown to me) being the last in … Read more >>
I haven’t been particularly impressed by Otterden’s puzzles in the past, and I’m afraid this one has done nothing to change my opinion. To repeat what I said on a previous occasion, “there … Read more >>
Well, this was a pleasant surprise! When I saw Araucaria’s name on the website I first assumed it must be another Guardian cock-up, but the puzzle itself proved (happily) otherwise. Another surprise was … Read more >>
It’s been a while since we saw Puck on a weekday, though he has done a couple of prize puzzles since. This was a welcome return, with a fairly tricky puzzle that kept … Read more >>
Azed gives us a jigsaw about every two years, and by the luck of the draw I also blogged the last one. As I said then, my first step with these is to … Read more >>
I found this very much on the easy side, even by Rufus’s standards, with many clues being immediate write-ins, and no serious hold-ups. Thanks to the setter. Across 1. CLASSIC Form gets 99 … Read more >>
A good Friday challenge from Imogen, with some interesting clue constructions. Only two anagrams (and no partial anags) and no hidden clues, which perhaps explains my initial progress was slow. I thought the … Read more >>
After yesterday’s strenuous tussle with Enigmatist, this was relatively a walk in the park, but with lots to enjoy, including several nice bits of &littish-ness. Thanks to Paul for the entertainment. … Read more >>
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 >>
Another puzzle where I made a slow start, but then steady progress to the end. Looking back there’s nothing too difficult here, but a nice variety of clues. Thanks to the setter. I’m … Read more >>
Only two cryptic definitions today, but seven doubles (though in several of those the two definitions are very closely related), together with mostly very straightforward clues of other types, suitable for those who … Read more >>
I thought I was off to a good start with this when I got all four of the long answers around the edges (including 34a by some inspired guesswork). I then polished off … Read more >>
A very entertaining puzzle from Picaroon, where I realised early on what was happening in 10 across (after getting 23/12), but that didn’t make the other thematic phrases any easier to solve. I … Read more >>
A typically straightforward puzzle from Chifone, with the usual preponderance of charades. Perhaps a couple of slightly obscure answers, but nothing to delay regular solvers for long. … Read more >>