Guardian 26,120 by Rufus
Typical Rufus crossword of cryptic and double definitions to start the week. Not much else to add but a welcome change of grid compared to the recent ones of his I’ve done. Across … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 733 / Nutmeg
As you probably discovered, having so many unchecked letters at the start of words makes a crossword a bit harder to start with, but the ‘unchecked’ first letters were really checked after all … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 125 / Paul
Quite typically, I forgot I was meant to be blogging the Genius puzzle this month, so we solved it in a rush this morning in order to get this post done. This was … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,240 – Commoner
I mentioned a few months ago that I was very impressed by Commoner’s style, and this puzzle hasn’t done anything to make me change that view! Excellent clueing again throughout with some nice, … Read more >>
AZED 2,164 Playfair
I admit to a slight feeling of trepidation when I opened my Observer last Sunday and noticed that it was a Playfair puzzle, knowing that it was my turn to blog. It’s almost … Read more >>
Everyman 3503/November 24
Another good’un – as always – from Everyman, containing just one phrase with which I was unfamiliar. And a small typo in one of the clues. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition … Read more >>
Independent Saturday Prize Puzzle 8459 / Bannsider – 23 November 2013
As soon as we saw it was Bannsider today, we knew we were in for a tricky challenge – and we were right! The theme was fairly obvious (and predictable!) from the first … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 26,113 by Paul
My solving partner Timon and I knocked this off in under an hour, but once we had the long anagram the rest slotted into place without much difficulty. As usual, Paul demonstrates a … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1096: Demand by Samuel
The preamble to DEMAND tells us that ‘the hunt is on’ for the unclued 14D. In 34 clues an extra letter in the wordplay will give us a ‘group’ met on the way, … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,483 by Peto
Carefully crafted clues made for a satisfying solve Across 1 BUCKAROO cowboy BUCK (money) A (one) ROO sounds like RUE (regret) 5 PAELLA food AL (Capone) LEAP (bound)< (come … Read more >>
Guardian 26118
This is a fitting tribute to the dear Araucaria, who has brought delight to many, me included, with his puzzles – RIP. This was no easy puzzle, and like many of Araucaria’s, I had … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1238
Tough and satisfying Across 1 Use of imitation promises hokum, possibly SKEUOMORPHISM (PROMISES HOKUM)* 11 Fellows I’d recalled accepting bit of henna, displaying this? MEHNDI &lit H[enna] in MEN … Read more >>
Independent 8,464 / Phi
As one would expect, Phi has provided this week’s Friday crossword. For me, this was towards the easy end of Phi’s difficulty range, offering a fairly speedy and enjoyable solve. I found the … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,482 by Armonie
A new setter for me, I think, and a very decent puzzle, too. Thank-you, Armonie. Apologies for my brevity… ACROSS 1. INDIFFERENT In [on good terms] + different [another story] 7. BOP B [second-rate] + … Read more >>
Independent 8463 / Klingsor
I have blogged a number of puzzles by Klingsor and have always enjoyed the challenge. There were a number of &Lit clues in the puzzle today – always good to … Read more >>