Beelzebub 1,354
A reasonably swift solve this week, with a couple of tricky moments that had me relying on Chambers. 14 across could have been PEBI or PEBA if you hadn’t heard of it (I … Read more >>
Simon Harding
Independent on Sunday 1,355 by Raich
A characteristically accessible yet enjoyable puzzle, as we’ve come to expect from Raich, perfectly paced for the IoS. I learned a few bits and bobs too, which is nice. Favourite clue was perhaps … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,352
I seemed to be quite well tuned in to Beelzebub’s wavelength this week, getting through this reasonably swiftly. That said, I did slip up by entering AINO incorrectly at 26 down. I felt … Read more >>
Independent 9,140 by Anglio (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 30/01/16)
It looks like we have another new setter today, or at least a quick search of Fifteensquared doesn’t suggest otherwise. In which case, welcome Anglio. I found this quite a challenge, and never … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,350
Just the one thing that I can’t quite see, at 33 across. *=anagram, []=dropped, <=reversed. Hover to expand abbreviations. Across 4 VULSELLAE – (L + L) in (LEAVE US)*. 11 ERNANI – AN … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,351 by Alchemi
As far as I can tell, we haven’t seen Alchemi on a Sunday since July 2014. In any case, welcome back Alchemi! This started off quite slowly for me. It didn’t help that … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,348
A funny sort of week, at least in my experience. I don’t ever time solving, but I do sometimes take the paper to the pub where I find the imperial pint to be … Read more >>
Independent 9,110 by Hieroglyph (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 26/12/15)
The closing date for this puzzle was also postponed from the usual following Saturday until today, for obvious reasons. I was surprised not to spot anything thematic this week, despite the puzzle being … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,346
The closing date for Beelzebub was postponed until today for the obvious festive reasons, hence the delayed blog post. I don’t have a great deal of notes as it’s been a fairly long … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,347 by Crosophile
A nice Sunday workout from Crosophile this week. I’d perhaps have got through it quicker had I not been so slow to spot the anagram in the long 16 across. 15 down also … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,344
A much tougher week than the last one I blogged, I thought. To the extent that I’m still unable to complete the puzzle as I cobble together a blog post. 33 across and … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,342
Well I never, it’s amazing what being stuck on train with nothing else to concentrate on can do. This was my first unaided finish in quite some time, though I’ll admit there were … Read more >>
Independent 9,081 by Klingsor (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 21/11/15)
Klingsor was excellent company on a train ride up to The North at the weekend. The grid seemed to fill up from right to left for me, at one point having one half … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,343 by Raich
Another enjoyable Sunday puzzle from Raich, and I’m not just saying that because I know he’ll be reading. Everything seemed to fall in very smoothly, with very few hold ups. I particularly appreciated … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,340
Very few scribbles on the magazine this week, suggesting relatively smooth sailing. I did get held up in the top right for a bit, not helping myself by being convinced 14 across would … Read more >>