John

I didn’t do this quickly, although looking at it now I bet some people did. One problem was that I wrote an answer in the wrong place, and when I transferred it to … Read more >>

So now we see why Phi was on Tuesday: Eimi had ready a nice 28ac crossword. I hesitate to say that it was tough, but it took me ages, and some of the … Read more >>

As usual, many lovely clues. Am I safe in saying that there’s no Nina? Or is the fact that there were four double clues, all symmetrically placed, somehow significant? Across 1 ACCLAIMED – … Read more >>

Nice to have Virgilius back again. But where’s the Nina? I hope his cutting back isn’t extending to the clever things he does with the grids, and that it’s simply that I can’t … Read more >>

Rather harder than usual for Dac, I thought, but as usual it’s full of very nice clues. Across 1 TOSH – 2 mngs, not helped by the fact that the mate meaning is … Read more >>

Nothing very controversial I think – the usual excellent crossword from Phi. Across 1 (a)UNTY PIC AL(l) 6 ONC(U [=for all to see])E 9 EV(OK)E 10 ARM STRONG. I think this is it: … Read more >>

As usual from Dac, very efficient pleasant clues with good surfaces. Across 1 dropPED LARge. A well-concealed hidden, which was one of the last I did. 9 A(S)LOPE I think. I only have … Read more >>

I had been expecting a comparatively easy ride today; evidently we have a treat in store on Saturday. Although this took a long time, as Punk’s crosswords always do, it was very good: … Read more >>

One of Dac’s easier puzzles I think, but none the worse for that. Consistently excellent clueing as usual. Across 1 DOMINICANS. The islanders and the monks. 9 AMOROSO, which is both a lover … Read more >>

A tour de force from Virgilius. Somehow he has managed to get some reference to a topic that continues to increase in importance into every clue, either in the answer or in the … Read more >>

A bit harder than the usual Dac, I found. Some of the bottom-half clues were peculiarly impenetrable, although in the end there was the usual satisfaction with Dac’s skills. Across 1 HIT THE … Read more >>

Across 1 LATIN AMERICAN – (certain animal)*. This suggests the theme – all the across answers are Latin words, many of which have an American connection. I think this is all. 9 CAPITOL … Read more >>

The usual pleasant offering from Phi, but one or two I can’t quite understand. Across 1 J UMP(ire). Expressing in the sense of throwing out. 3 DESPOTIC I’m pretty sure. Oppressive = despotic … Read more >>

It’s New Year’s day, and it’s Virgilius. That means that his crossword must contain some wonderful Nina, especially as the grid is a bit odd. But I can’t see it. (Note from Neildubya: … Read more >>

Across 7 I POD [with the I “put back”] UM 8 CHESTNUT. 8 Down is “Christmas tree”, but unless I don’t know about Christmas trees in various parts of the world, the connection … Read more >>