Azed 2079
It’s often said that you know you are right when you complete the last stage of a Listener puzzle properly. I think the same can be said of the parsing Azed’s clues. If … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,155 by Raich
The third Sunday Raich I’ve drawn on the trot, I think, so it seems the 152 calendar is somewhat in sync with that of the IoS. No complaints at all from me, as … Read more >>
Independent 7,950 / Morph (Saturday Prize Crossword 7/04/12)
Someone once asked us if being a blogger took the pleasure out of completing the puzzles. Our answer was a resounding …. “No!” Today was definitely one of the occasions when our faces … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1,012: Drab Cops by Nudd
A cryptic title, hinting maybe at Columbo, with his dour demeanour and down-at-heel dress sense? The preamble tells us to find a horizontally-symmetrical four word quotation, and twelve answers needing some sort of adjustment … Read more >>
Guardian Easter Special 25,604 by Araucaria
Great stuff! After some easy puzzles during the week we have this really solid challenge for the Easter weekend. I thought this one was harder than the usual holiday specials from Araucaria. There were not … Read more >>
Guardian 25,609 – Araucaria
Most of the clueing in this was fairly straightforward (though there are a couple I can’t fully explain), but there were a few references that I needed to look up to confirm the … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,977 by Bradman
Sharp and intelligent offering from the Don today ACROSS 7 RAILLERY banter ILL ER in RAY light 8 INDIGO colour INDI[a] GO vitality 11 NANCY female FANCY imagine with … Read more >>
Independent 7955 / Phi
If it’s Friday it’s usually Phi and so it is today. I found this a bit tougher than some Phis that I have solved recently, but the parsing was very … Read more >>
Independent 7954/Klingsor
Yet another excellent workout from Klingsor this morning. Many of the clues have quite tricky constructions, but it is all perfectly fair and often very nice. As always with Klingsor — what else, when … Read more >>
Guardian 25,608 – Brendan
Enjoyed this a lot, especially the theme. Favourite clues 11a, 15d and 19d. Across 9 ACADEMISM =”adherence to formal rules”. An art movement influenced by the French Académie des Beaux-Arts (Madame is)* around … Read more >>
Financial Times no.13,976 by REDSHANK
As usual from Redshank, a very enjoyable and inventive puzzle. A few new and half-forgotten words here for me. Plus, it’s a pangram (something I usually manage to overlook; I only spotted this … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,968 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Apr 2 A Dante puzzle that I completed in two sessions, which probably makes clear that I didn’t find this the easiest of Dantes. Some real gems in this puzzle (1ac, … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,967 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 31, 2012 I bet a lot of people had trouble with 3D (PHWOAR). I certainly did. I was not inclined to believe PHWOAR is a … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1011 – Title by Piccadilly
With this sort of DIY grid puzzle, it all depends how easy cold-solving is. So how easy is this going to be? And what’s the puzzle actually called? In fact, in addition to … Read more >>
Financial Times by Gozo 13,975
Another lucky week for me. I get to blog the Guardian Easter Special at the weekend and now this really super themed puzzle from Gozo today. I recomend having a go at this … Read more >>