Everyman No. 3349 (5th December)
Lorraine: I found several of the clues this week were more difficult than usual but nothing that a little research didn’t cure. Very enjoyable puzzle as usual, so thanks to Everyman as always. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1086: Quixote
Both straightforward and sound, as usual. 12a gets a mention as my favourite clue this week. Across 1 STOP ‘Pots’ = vessels, reversed 6 INCREMENT *(CERT[a]IN); MEN = workers 10 STONED ONE; D … Read more >>
Independent 7,531 by Tyrus (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 04/12/10)
Tyrus puzzles are never what one might describe as “easy”, but I thought this was going to be a blogging disaster until the theme, and subsequently perimeter Nina were spotted. I still had … Read more >>
Guardian 25,185 (Sat 4 Dec)/Araucaria – Bony N.
Solving time: 15 mins, three mistakes (23ac, 8dn, 20dn) This wasn’t very easy and even after I’d (slightly fortuitously) spotted the mini-theme of Wellington, Napoleon and Waterloo it was tough to finish. I … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No 943 Upstarts by Nudd
So not a misprint in sight this week – just seven undefined, but clued, answers to be determined, then find a cryptic observation hidden in the grid and then write the author under the … Read more >>
Independent 7536 – Phi
Friday with Phi and all’s well. Surprisingly few clues in this, grid suggested nina but I can’t see anything or an obvious theme. The usual mix of nice anagrams and wordplay though. Across … Read more >>
Guardian 25,190 / Boatman
I had somewhat mixed feelings about this puzzle – the surface readings are very nice and there are plenty of inventive and entertaining constructions. However, there are some rather tricky subtractive elements, in … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,565 / Bradman
An uncomplicated, enjoyable grid. I am a fan of the way Bradman constructs fresh and elegant clue surfaces with even basic wordplay, such as 21a and 2d. My favourites today are 26a, 3d. … Read more >>
Independent 7,535 by Tees
I’ve just discovered that tomorrow, it will be exactly two years since I started blogging here, so many thanks to everyone who has commented and helped me out in that time. Coincidentally, due … Read more >>
Guardian 25,189 / Araucaria
I think this puzzle might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed it, once I got started. 3dn was the first themed answer I got, before solving 25,22, so I went … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,564 / Alberich
Much like a Spurs game in the Champions League, seeing Alberich’s name appear above the grid is always a mouth-watering prospect. And somehow, just like ‘Arry’s boys, the subsequent entertainment levels rarely fall … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,555 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword on 29 November 2010 Quite an entertaining way to start the week ACROSS 1 PUNCTURE cd what is called a puncture in the UK is referred to as a flat … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,554 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 27 A merely excellent Cincinnus on this occasion. But with one clue whose working I do not understand (24A, TORSO). It is especially rare that … Read more >>
Financial Times 13563 / GOZO – Car-ried away
A thematic puzzle from Gozo to grapple with today, although he does not keep us guessing as to what that theme might be: multiple references to car firms and models tell us that … Read more >>
Independent 7,534/Dac
2 Dacs on the bounce for me after his move to Thursday last week. I don’t have a problem with this! Most of this went in fairly quickly, but there were a few … Read more >>