Financial Times 13,426 – Falcon
If it waddles like a Falcon and quacks like a Falcon then it’s probably a Falcon. An engaging solve, while it lasted, but ultimately a short-lived skirmish. Across 1 BRASS BAND – brass … Read more >>
Independent 7397 by Nimrod
A fine puzzle in Nimrod’s very distinctive style. On the hard side, as one expects from Nimrod. Solving time, 41 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 6 SERBIA (rabies)* 8 HAYLOFT “Hail” OFT 9 … Read more >>
Independent 7393 (Sat 26 June) – Bannsider
I found this very good but also very tough indeed, solved in a couple of sessions which came to about 45 minutes when I just had 24D left to complete. It took me … Read more >>
Guardian 25,051 / Boatman
We don’t see Boatman very often which is a pity since he usually provides an enjoyable challenge and this was no exception, despite my having a couple of quibbles (though this could just … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1063 by Quixote – 27 June 2010
Our first blog as husband and wife, completed in true Handel style, with a pint of ale in Stockwell’s uncharacteristically sophisticated pub The Canton Arms. ACROSS 4. HE(LP)ED 7. splenDID ACT I Contrived … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,417 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword on 21 June 2010 Another painless way to start the week, solving smooth clues and enjoying slick surfaces ACROSS 1 VIVACE V (Roman numeral for 5) IV (ditto for 4) … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,416 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 19 I found this puzzle considerably more challenging than most Cincinnuses although not quite as difficult as that really tough one he gave us a … Read more >>
Guardian 25,050 / Araucaria
Sorry for the late (and very rushed) post – I knew I was blogging today but didn’t make much progress on the way into work and then promptly forgot about it. I wish … Read more >>
Independent 7,396 by Dac
Always a pleasure to tackle a Wednesday Dac. I made pretty swift progress through this, though with a few down clues, such as 1 and 13 taking longer than I should admit. 6dn … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1131 – Number by Loda
Probably my quickest Inquisitor ever, I had it done-and-dusted in less than an hour. Every clue contained an extra word, I must admit that I usually find those types of clues a tad … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,425 / Gozo
The Wednesday puzzle is usually one towards the more difficult end of the FT spectrum but not today (at least for me). A sartorial theme for the across answers which are all items … Read more >>
Independent 7,395/Virgilius
Man, this was good! A very impressive grid construction by Virgilius, in which all bar 7 entries contain MAN, and the remaining 7 all have MAN in the clue. I spotted the theme … Read more >>
Guardian 25049 – Paul
What a treat to blog Paul with his unique sense of humour and the dashes of risque. I learned a lot of details while searching for answers to explain each clue. Aren’t we … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,424 / Armonie
One of my favourite FT setters, Armonie always has clues with clean, natural surface readings. Maybe a few too many old chestnuts (11 across, 16 across, 18 down have been seen more than … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,061 (20/06/10)
A tough week, I think. I haven’t been able to pull together all the elements in the wordplay for 11ac just yet. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Across 1 DESPOILMENT … Read more >>