A gentle Sunday puzzle from Poins.
Beelzebub 1,254
Another very tough week, I found. Let’s hope it’s not just me losing my faculties. This took quite a lot of looking things up on the internet to finish, not least because there … Read more >>
Azed 2180
On the easier end of the Azed scale – but nonetheless required dipping into the BRB. Attached is the raw grid I scribbled on just for fun. azed_2180 Across 1 C(H,L,O)RACNE – h,l,o … Read more >>
Everyman 3519/16 March
Always a pleasure to solve and blog an Everyman. The usual combination of smooth surfaces and accessible clueing. The enumeration for one of the clues struck me as unusual, but perhaps others have … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 26,208 by Puck
A musical theme for this week’s prize puzzle from Puck.
Independent 8554 by Tees (Saturday Prize Puzzle 15 March 2014)
Several linked/cross-referenced clues here, which often suggests a theme may be present; and also several references to ‘cardinals’ in the clues – is there going to be some sort of Monty Python/Spanish Inquisition theme? … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1112: Title, Please by Syd Lexis
A sad moment – this is (presumably) the last EV from Syd Lexis (Alan Donovan), whose recent passing was announced the week before in Nimrod’s Inquisitor 1322 editorial, and to whom tributes have been … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,576 by GAFF
I had to attempt this puzzle in 2 parts – once at the start of the day and again, after I had finished at work. Unfortunately, I still havent been able to successfully get around a couple of clues, the answers for which I am sure are quite easy to crack. Nevertheless, what I indeed managed to solve was very enjoyable and was taxing just to the right extent. 18ac and 17d are to be finished.
Apologies for not finishing this before putting it up (would love to have been able to spend more time on this before blogging the complete puzzle but wont be near a computer for another three hours).
Guardian Cryptic N° 26,213 by Picaroon
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26213. It’s been a very good week at the Guardian, culminating with this one, which I found rather difficult – and like last week, I had an hour … Read more >>
Independent 8,559 / Phi
It wouldn’t be Friday without Phi, would it?! I found this one trickier than the average Phi and, indeed, I would not have finished it without searching for the last two entries – … Read more >>
Guardian 26,212 / Paul
An entertaining puzzle from Paul – reasonably straightforward, I think, with some ingenious constructions and several smiles to help things along. Many thanks to him. Across 8 Granny made beastly remark about president … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,575 by Sleuth
One of us – either me or the FT crossword – was a bit zestless this morning. No real complaints, but not Sleuth’s most dazzling performance.
Independent 8558 / Klingsor
I have blogged a number of Klingsor puzzles now and they have all been good challenges. The pattern continued today. I preferred the Across clues to the Down clues mainly … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,566 – Falcon
Monday Prize Crossword/Mar 10 Nothing too taxing but a very well written crossword by Falcon. Definitions are underlined wherever possible and/or appropriate. Across 1 LABRADOR Young man restraining supporter with golden retriever(8) … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,565 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 8, 2014 I found this puzzle decidedly more challenging than most of Mudd’s. My top clues here are 11a (FRENCH LOAF), 3d (OPTICAL ART), 16d … Read more >>