Independent 7621 by Crosophile
Some very pleasing clues in what, I think, is Crosophile’s second Indy appearance, solving time 36 mins. No Nina/theme that I have spotted but very happy to be put right if I’ve missed … Read more >>
Quiptic 592/Nutmeg
Apart from a couple of niggles, I enjoyed this puzzle. There was an interesting variety of clues and of subject matter. Football fans will be familiar with the term ‘nutmeg’, where a player … Read more >>
Guardian 25,275 / Rufus
Some typical Monday fun from Rufus, with lovely surface readings throughout. Across 5. BAD EGG A nice double definition: “Scoundrel” and “best avoided by soldiers” (referring to the bits of toast that you … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,099 (13/03/11)
A very pleasant solve this week, once again. I thought I might be on for a rare unaided finish but alas the big red book had to come out to finish the NE … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,100 by Quixote
A nice round number this week, and a nicely-rounded puzzle from Quixote to complement it. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Across 1 HENRY THE FIRST – (FRESH ENTRY HIT)*. 8 … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3363 (13th March)
Lorraine: Medium level of difficulty for an Everyman this week, with some typical Everyman clueing. I have two queries at 4ac and 5dn, which maybe readers here can confirm either way. Thank you Mr. … Read more >>
Azed 2024
As always of course, a very good crossword from Azed. Some of the clues (1ac and 1dn particularly) are marvellous and everything is sound and well-signposted. My solving performance is rather feeble: I … Read more >>
Independent 7,614 by Scorpion (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 12/03/11)
Drawing a Scorpion on a blogging day is always a little daunting, and this was a thorough workout. Many of this week’s entries are towns on or near the River Thames. It will … Read more >>
Guardian Prize No 25268 by Pasquale
Solving time: about two hours, but we were watching the United v Arsenal game at the time. I acknowledge the substantial contribution from my friend and neighbour Timon, but the blog (and any … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 957 – Products by Samuel
A tasty treat of a puzzle – maybe at the easier end of the EV spectrum, once the nicely topical theme had been cracked. The solver was to find four unclued entries making … Read more >>
Independent 7,619/Radian
Well I found this pretty darn tough. Most of the acrosses went in fairly easily, but the low-numbered downs were much harder and required some liberal use of the online Reveal button! And … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,645 / Styx
This was a gentle ride with a few pleasant pauses to smile, my picks of the day being 12a, 25a. Across 1 CABOTAGE CAGE (confined space) around (BOAT)*. A new word for me. … Read more >>
Guardian 25,273 – Arachne
I found it quite hard to get going on this one, but I think that’s because of some very clever clues where the cryptic reading is well concealed, with 19ac and 7dn being … Read more >>
Guardian 25,272 / Brummie
This took me some time as I was fixated on a number of wrong answers for some time. For example at 17 down I was convinced that I should take M … Read more >>
Independent 7618/Anax
A breathtaking achievement from Anax. The vast majority of the clues have a surface that refers to the same thing, yet there is no strain and they all work quite naturally. This kind … Read more >>