Enigmatic Variations No.968 – Four Ways by Owzat
This was my favourite EV for some time. It was also one of the easiest, which – I insist – is entirely coincidental. Who would have thought that any language needed a word … Read more >>
Guardian Prize Puzzle 25,334 by Araucaria
A nice enough crossword from Araucaria, but not one that really grabbed my attention. I got the feeling that Arucaria could have produced something much cleverer with this theme if he had really put his … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,710 / Falcon
Falcon’s byline holds the promise of an easy, neat puzzle, and this was no exception. An abundance of anagrams, a wide range of references and simple fun. Across 1 MARGRAVE MA (old lady) … Read more >>
Guardian 25,339 – Orlando
Challenging but enjoyable with a lot of clever surface cluing. Across 1 CLEAVE C[hop] + LEAVE=”up sticks” 4 ETCHINGS ETC=”and more of the same” + [t]HINGS=”items needing no introduction” 9 MOSES Grandma MOSES … Read more >>
Independent 7685/Phi
The usual very nice crossword from Phi. Not all the clues were easy, yet they can all be easily explained. I think. When I saw the six unches at the top and similar … Read more >>
Independent 7684 by Tyrus
My first Tyrus, seems like a vanilla crossword word but then I missed the theme on Tuesday too. I found this quite tricky with some rare words thrown in to help… [Edit thanks … Read more >>
Guardian 25,338 / Shed
A very enjoyable crossword from Shed. I got stuck on quite a few here, but I suspect that people won’t generally have found this too difficult. Across 9. AROSE A + ROSE = … Read more >>
Financial Times No. 13,709 by ORENSE
A bit of a mixed bag, this one, I thought. A handful of real 1 Acrosses, but a few charades that seemed to lack inventiveness. Still, I enjoyed it. Rampant sex and Shakespeare … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,700 / Armonie
Monday Prize Crossword from May 23 My last blog! I am pleased that it is Armonie, who has always been one of my favourites. I have always liked his blend of economy and … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,699 by Gozo
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 21 I have the pleasure and honour of revealing that Gozo constructed this puzzle to mark his daughter’s wedding which took place the same day … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,708 by Cinephile
Another enjoyable mixed bag from Cinephile. We get the full range from the sublime (12) and the fiendish (21 ac) to the obscure (10) and just plain rubbish (17, 19). It was much easier to guess the answers than to … Read more >>
Guardian 25,337 / Crucible
I was delighted to see Crucible’s name on this puzzle and I was not disappointed. His crosswords often have a theme and here we have a nice cheerful one, with no obscurities, I … Read more >>
Independent 7,683 / Dac
Owing to a mix-up over dates on my part, I missed my last Wednesday blog four weeks ago (and thus my opportunity to blog a Dac puzzle), and I think I was beginning … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1178 – Begin at the Beginning by Nimrod
Having failed even to start the blank grid in 1177 by Phi, my heart sank when I saw another blank grid for this week’s puzzle. I find these difficult to do, but even harder to blog! … Read more >>
Independent 7,682/Anax
As far as I know, Anax appears roughly once per fortnight, but it’s been nearly 6 months since I landed one of his puzzles to blog. You can always guarantee an entertaining – … Read more >>