Beelzebub 1146
Tricky and enjoyable puzzle although I was caught out by having limited understanding of answers at 22a and 5d ACROSS 2 Frank cracks when accepting one’s offers to stand CANDIDACIES … Read more >>
Everyman crossword No 3,411
A quick solve, but none the less enjoyable, with some delightful surfaces which raised a few smiles. The two straightforward long central across clues were a great way in. There were a couple … Read more >>
Azed 2072/taken abaft
I was held up rather badly by the SW corner — all because I hastily opted for ABAFT instead of ABACK (25D). As a result, the mostly full grid lay fallow on my … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1005: Answer by Shark
I’ve come across a couple of Shark puzzles before and have been nicely entertained by them. Here, subsidiary indications led to an extra letter not entered, and they spelt out part of a … Read more >>
Independent 7908 Bannsider (Sat 18-Feb-2012)
Mr B not just revealing but revelling in his roots. 1 Across is the theme which is used in the clue surfaces more than the answers, so while it may be possible to solve … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle No 25,562 by Puck
We don’t often see Puck in the prize slot and I wonder whether this puzzle was intended as a prize puzzle because it seemed to me to be very much on the easy … Read more >>
Independent 7,913 / Nimrod
My apologies for the later than usual posting, caused by other commitments as well as by the trickiness of the puzzle. Nimrod never disappoints: you know he’ll never hand you a solution on … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,936 by Loroso
A clever challenge with variety and gentle wit ACROSS UPSTAIRS at next level: anagram of PUTS AIRS arrogance 5 SIMOOM a hot suffocating desert wind: (MOO low Mediteranian IS)< all reversed … Read more >>
Guardian 25,567 / Shed
A welcome appearance by Shed, to ensure that an eventful week in Crosswordland didn’t end in anti-climax. Shed’s characteristically intricate and inventive cluing provides a puzzle which I found entertaining and amusing. My … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,935 / Jason
Work commitments have prevented Ringo from blogging today. I hadn’t intended to solve this puzzle, and certainly hadn’t allowed any time for writing this post, so I have had to limit my input … Read more >>
Independent 7912 / Tees
Tees regularly produces crosswords that have attractions for beginners, while also catering for the more experienced solvers. This was a crossword with a good mix of clues, some with basic constructions, … Read more >>
Guardian 25,566 – Araucaria
My second Araucaria to blog in a row, and good entertainment again. I don’t think it’s giving anything away to say that many clues rely on a variety of different meanings and uses … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,926 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword/Feb 13 The last two Crux crosswords generated a spectacular total of zero comments. That’s perhaps disappointing for me, but even more for the setter who, in my opinion, is one … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,925 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 11, 2012 I found this to be a moderately challenging, interestingly offbeat and very clever puzzle by Mudd. There are many clues I think are … Read more >>
Photo uploads (including Rufus’ birthday celebrations)
I have uploaded three new sets of photos to Flickr: The Cruciverbalists’ Convention at The Bridge House, Maida Vale, on 28 January: Bridge House, 28 January 2012 Part 1 of our celebrations of … Read more >>