scchua – Page 61 – Fifteensquared

Financial Times 13921 Phssthpok

February 7, 2012 at 11:36 amFebruary 7, 2012 at 7:27 am by scchua

Phssthpok travels a lot in this puzzle, with references and words from abroad (including Scotland? 🙂 ). Very nice clueing, with the added bonus of words whose etymology I enjoyed tracking down. So thank … Read more >>

Financial Times 13915 Neo

January 31, 2012 at 1:52 pmJanuary 31, 2012 at 9:45 am by scchua

Every so often the FT will start its week (Monday being a prize puzzle, it doesn’t count) with a more-than-usually difficult one eg. a Neo. So I thought, on seeing the setter and … Read more >>

Financial Times 13909 Dante

January 25, 2012 at 1:20 pmJanuary 24, 2012 at 10:16 am by scchua

I said in yesterday’s blog that I was going to have the same again today. How true! Visiting family and friends, a blog, and then – a crossword in the same style by the same … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25539 Rufus

January 23, 2012 at 4:41 pmJanuary 23, 2012 at 11:05 am by scchua

Apologies for the later than usual posting. Thanks Rufus for a typical gentle start to the week, and to the New Year, the Lunar one, that is. Today’s the first day of the … Read more >>

Financial Times 13903 Jason

January 17, 2012 at 2:27 pmJanuary 17, 2012 at 10:54 am by scchua

Another good one from Jason, so thanks Jason. A bit of concern when I stalled for some time after getting the 2 long ones early on. However, it finally yielded. Definitions are underlined … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 635 Arachne

January 16, 2012 at 5:02 pmJanuary 16, 2012 at 10:53 am by scchua

Thanks Arachne for an enjoyable crossword (by no means a walkover) with some clever surfaces. For some reason, I got slowed down in the NE quarter, but the latter provided my favourite clues for … Read more >>

Financial Times Prize 13891 Crux

January 12, 2012 at 4:27 amJanuary 12, 2012 at 12:05 am by scchua

This is my first crack at blogging a Prize Puzzle, and an enjoyable one it is. Not many problems, just slightly in the SE corner; the last one in was 29A, after having … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25525 Tramp

January 6, 2012 at 3:18 pmJanuary 6, 2012 at 11:37 am by scchua

Sorry for the later posting (long lunch). This was an enjoyable offering from Tramp (as we have come to expect from him). Well clued and neat surfaces. Thanks Tramp. Definitions are underlined in … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25521 Rufus

January 2, 2012 at 4:04 pmJanuary 2, 2012 at 10:39 am by scchua

A nice easy puzzle to start the week, and the year with. Rufus’s trademark cryptic and double definitions, anagrams, and clever surfaces are here, and some possibly nautical references also. Thanks Rufus. And … Read more >>

Financial Times 13881 Armonie

December 20, 2011 at 10:27 am by scchua

This is an easy-going puzzle to start the FT week with. A few misdirections, and one definition that I hope I’ve got right. Thanks Armonie. Definitions are underlined in the clues. The picture set … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 631 Nutmeg

December 19, 2011 at 6:12 pmDecember 19, 2011 at 10:38 am by scchua

‘Tis the time of the year, when crosswords, like other things, get Christmas-y. This one gives a gentle start to the festivities – no hangover and no indigestion, so to speak! Thanks Nutmeg, … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25506 Tramp

December 15, 2011 at 6:20 pmDecember 15, 2011 at 8:34 am by scchua

Back to the blogging schedule, and thank you to PeeDee for standing in in my Guardian slots. I have come back to an immensely enjoyable puzzle today, with lots of pop culture (nothing … Read more >>

Financial Times 13875 Gurney

December 14, 2011 at 10:09 amDecember 13, 2011 at 4:38 am by scchua

It’s back to business for me, with a thank you to Duncan for so ably holding the fort in the last 3 weeks. A gentle landing for me with today’s puzzle, thanks to Gurney. Some … Read more >>

Financial Times 13845 Phssthpok

November 8, 2011 at 6:08 pmNovember 8, 2011 at 10:16 am by scchua

I found today’s difficult (as any Guardian or Indy cryptic). Starting was easy enough with the NW quarter quickly filled in, but the other 3 put up quite a struggle. For some time, … Read more >>

Financial Times 13839 Jason

November 1, 2011 at 7:01 am by scchua

A straightforward Jason, with some clever cryptic definitions and surfaces. Thanks, Jason. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Hidden connection in the picture sets. Across 1 Metal bands stumped by charges (6) STRAPS … Read more >>