Independent 7399 (Sat 03-Jul) by Nestor
Another first Saturday of the month slot for Nestor, and another non-Nina puzzle as far as I can see (Unless Nestor is now sponsored by “Savalab”) Across 1 SHOULDER PADS SHOULD (are obliged … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,432 – Styx
I found this to be a real variety show of both easy and elusive answers, with some intermittent channelling of Sid James or Frankie Howerd to keep us amused (“titter ye not”). Across … Read more >>
Independent 7403/Merlin
A pleasant (but long — 35 clues) solve today from Merlin, although as is usual one or two seem a bit odd. The grid is very strange, in that there is a word … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1064 by Quixote – 4 July 2010
An unusually easy outing this week, finished in something like 15 minutes, which is about as quick as we get. ACROSS 6. BLOODSTONE (old bones)* around ‘to’ 9. R AID 10. PA ELLA … Read more >>
Guardian 25057, Arachne
Morning campers! An enjoyable if none too taxing puzzle today. Our favourites for today were 17ac and 10d for their amusing surfaces. ACROSS 1. GO P HER 4. ICE S(HE)ET 9. NIC(H)E 10. … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,423 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword on 28 June 2010 Quite a gentle stroll through the park on a Monday morning. ACROSS 1 APPLAUD Cha of APPL (apple minus e or endless fruit) AU (chemical symbol … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,422 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 26 I found this a slightly difficult Mudd with a couple of sterling anagrams: 1A (SIGMUND FREUD) and 5D (FATBOY SLIM). I also like 10A … Read more >>
Independent 7402 by Dac
I thought this had everything you could ask for in a puzzle at the easier end of the Indy spectrum. Flawless clues, excellent surface readings, easier wordplay for the less familiar answers. Solving … Read more >>
Guardian 25,056 / Paul
I found this tough compared to most of Paul’s puzzles – fun to solve, though. I’m afraid I don’t understand how 6 down works and I’m not sure about my explanation for 26, … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,431 / Cinephile
I initially thought that many of the clues were on the easy side for a Cinephile but then found that there was a very obscure reference in 26,27 which I wouldn’t have known without the … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1132: Secret Excitement by Hypnos
After the relatively gentle strolls (or canters) of the last few weeks, this puzzle proved rather a stiffer challenge (or maybe I just wasn’t really in the mood). Two of the first clues … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 84: elastic despair
This month’s theme involved removing words from a number of across clues and then putting anagrams of them in some of the down clues. Two further unclued entries were to be found by … Read more >>
Independent 7,401 by Math
An all-too-rare visit from Math today. I’m not sure if the date carries some significance, but there’s a strong theme here, based around 1/4 and of course 4dn. I must admit I missed … Read more >>
Guardian 25055 – Orlando
A very good morning’s worth of entertainment. Orlando employed some tongue-in-cheek devices which got me laughing ACROSS 9 AT LEISURE Former British Prime Minister, Clement ATTLEE (1883-1967) minus T&E -> ATLE + I … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,430 / Phssthpok
I thought this was an excellent puzzle, with a lot of inventive wordplay. Across 1 PLUMBAGO P (power) LUMBAGO (backache) 6 MERLIN R[ight], L[eft] (both sides) + I (one) in MEN (people) 9 … Read more >>