Beelzebub 1,246
Lovely stuff from Beelzebub once again, though a very challenging week compared to the last two, I found. As is becoming traditional, just the one bit of help needed from readers, at 25 … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday, 1,248 – Raich
It’s been a while since I blogged a Raich puzzle on a Sunday, so this was a pleasant surprise. And a very pleasant puzzle it was too. It looks as though we have … Read more >>
Azed 2172
This was in the “not too difficult” category of Azed puzzles, at least as far as completing the grid was concerned. As often happens, confirming all the details to complete the blog took … Read more >>
Everyman 3511/19 January
Another fine Sunday puzzle from Everyman. Plenty of charades today and some characteristically clever anagrams. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 26,160 by Picaroon
Nice to see Picaroon, as a relatively new setter, given the prize slot. I made relatively rapid inroads into this (particularly the northwest corner) but then ground to a halt. My solving partner … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1104: Nice by Ferret
The preamble tells us that twelve answers need to be substituted with a ‘thematically associated’ word before entry. And the one unclued entry can be ‘similarly’ associated with a word which must be … Read more >>
Independent 8506 (Sat 18-Jan-2014) Tyrus
First Indy Prize blog of the year brings me a Tyrus that is maybe not as hard as a traditional Tyrus puzzle. Solving this was quite fun, the answers falling in gradually, and a … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,528 by MAGWITCH
The second time I am covering Magwitch and just as pleasurable as the first. Thanks Magwitch for a grid that was just within reach, and not having any alien words. Quite a few … Read more >>
Guardian 26,165 by Chifonie
Not difficult, but a pleasant solve – all very neatly and fairly done. Favourites were 24ac, 1dn and 5dn. Across 1 Woman gets marble put back in wrapping (6) SWATHE =”wrapping”. SHE=”Woman”, around … Read more >>
Independent 8,511 / Phi
This is my first Friday blog of 2014, so it is my first encounter of the year with Phi. I found this a medium-difficulty Phi puzzle, with three unfamiliar words at 4, 11 … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,527 by Gurney
A solid puzzle from Gurney this morning: nothing over-taxing (though I remain a bit nonplussed by 19dn. – help from you wise folk, as ever, much appreciated), something of a surfeit of anagrams, … Read more >>
Guardian 26,164 – Shed
The last Shed I blogged, in September, was rather a gentle one, but this one was, at least for me, at the opposite end of the spectrum: it took me a while to … Read more >>
Independent 8510 / Klingsor
Klingsor appears as an Independent setter about once a month and always produces interesting crosswords. The first four across entries all begin with A but there doesn’t seem to be any … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,518 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword/Jan 13 A sound and elegant puzzle by Crux. No controversies today! Definitions are underlined wherever possible and/or appropriate. Across 1 STRENGTH Final couples in twist are dancing with vigour (8) … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,517 by Dogberry
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 11, 2014 This puzzle also threw up some challenges for me. I especially had trouble with 4 across and some clues in the center section. … Read more >>