Independent 7,444 by Dac
Pretty tough today, I thought, especially the lower half of the grid. There were several references to things that I had never heard of, but after a bit of light research, everything adds … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,473 / Hamilton
The theme today seems to be an attempt to get into the grid as many words and phrases that are derived from French as possible. I have identified those that I know but … Read more >>
Guardian 25,098 / Puck
There’s much to admire in this characteristically Puckish puzzle, which I found great fun and very enjoyable – a nice variety of clue types and some excellent surfaces: it would have been sycophantic … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1139 – One Quarter by Schadenfreude
We were aked to identify a quotation round the perimeter which denied the existence of three unclued entries. Its source was indicated in the grid – clearly involving the barred off central square. … Read more >>
Independent 7,443/Raich
I was expecting a Virgilius after recent absences, so seeing Raich was a pleasant surprise. And a very pleasant puzzle it was too. I spotted the mini Beatles theme fairly early on after … Read more >>
Guardian 25097 – Paul
What a treat! For the second week running, I got to blog another master ( a reverential term of respect and admiration which really shouldn’t upset anyone). As expected, Paul served up many … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,472 / Armonie
Nothing difficult here, but I admire how Armonie makes it all seem so effortless. As usual, the clues have excellent surfaces that read naturally. Across 1 OFF THE MARK dd 7 MACE M[ark] … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 562 / Pan
Welcome to the first Quiptic blog on Fifteensquared. Our intention is that clues for this puzzle series will be described in a little more detail than normal in the hope that this will … Read more >>
Guardian 25,096 – Rufus
Very easy fare from Rufus today, but lots of his characteristically smooth surface readings. A nice gentle start to the week – thanks Rufus.. Across 1. FORMAL A … Read more >>
Independent 7442 by Nitsy
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism I’d never come across this setter before but a quick search of this site finds some Inquisitor puzzles that have appeared under that name. … Read more >>
Azed 1994
A fairly straightforward Azed, with not too much tricky wordplay; quite a few words that needed confirmation from Chambers, though. I may have misunderstood the wordplay at 11a. Thanks to people who pointed … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1070 by Quixote – 15th August 2010
Morning all. An enjoyable selection of clues here, with nothing to whinge about as far as we can tell. Seven down is the pick of the bunch IOHOs, a good example of the … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3333 (15th August)
Lorraine: Nothing to taxing this week, I got Milwaukee (15d) but needed Nick to work it out for me, also loved 25a it made me chuckle. Thanks Everyman for another enjoyable puzzle. Legend … Read more >>
Independent 7,435 by Anax (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 14/08/10)
The recent decision to move the prize puzzle blogs to the Saturday has spared my blushes somewhat, as in all honesty this post could not have happened without the “cheat” button. Well, it … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,069 (15/08/10)
I seemed to race through this one unaided, though almost inevitably not without a slip. At 15dn I substituted in an initial M, in the optimistic hope that MACE might mean “reprimand” somehow. … Read more >>