Private Eye/Cyclops

As usual Cyclops sprinkles the Grid and clues with a set of politicians of varying murkiness. The long 6-word answer had me stumped at the first sitting. I had started solving the grid … Read more >>

An entertaining puzzle from Cyclops that brightened up a dull Thursday morning commute … … stuck in traffic on the M25 (it never stays stationary quite long enough for a proper snooze). There … Read more >>

With the usual apologies to anyone who struggled, I found this Cyclops puzzle remarkably easy. For some reason, the one that took me longest was 15d. I think I will nominate 21a/18d as … Read more >>

I smiled at the double-light in column 12 of the grid when it revealed itself.  That’s what us crossword fans want isn’t it – a spot of light enlightening.   Across 1/13 DAMAGE … Read more >>

Some particularly fine smutty surface readings to the clues this week.  The simple but effective 18A is my favourite. Across 1 POMPOM Member squeezed between balls during Cameron’s fancy ball? (6) MP (member) … Read more >>

Similar to the last issue, this crossword was noticeably tougher than the usual difficulty level for the Eye crossword… … and I for one found that all the more enjoyable for it.  There … Read more >>

I think there was some fairly tricky wordplay in this Cyclops — it took me a bit longer than usual. Was that just me, or do others agree? Across 1 SCISSORS State is … Read more >>

Don’t know about anyone else but I’m still reeling from the Xmas giant, so this normal sized grid seemed small… … and the level of difficulty not too great – (e.g. compared to … Read more >>

This was numbered 469 in the magazine, but is correct on the website. Cyclops on pretty good form, I thought — some good clues, of which I particularly like 23a, for its sheer … Read more >>

“So this is Christmas, and what have you done Another year over, a new one just begun” Tell you what we’ve done John, another massive Eye Crossword! As usual there is a giant … Read more >>

Only a week since the last blog, I know — but this one has a submission deadline only three days after the publication date (though of course, many of us buy the Eye … Read more >>

No major problems with this one… until I tried to parse 11a, which I had written in pretty much without thinking. Across 7 BRIEFS Shorts taken by defenders Double definition — underwear; instruction … Read more >>