Azed 1987: Between overs…
While many of you were watching England’s unfortunate demise in South Africa last Sunday, I was sitting on the top deck of an almost deserted Lord’s pavilion, watching a T20 match between the … Read more >>
Everyman 3326
I have to say I didn’t really enjoy this one. Compared to the tight cluing of the best Everymans (Everymen?) this seemed to be quite sloppy in places. For example, 5dn is a … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,062 (27/06/10)
Despite a good crop of longer entries, I seemed to find Beelzebub relatively straightforward this week, making my way through unaided, with just the one slip at 5dn. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.920 – Find The Lady by Nutmeg
Bonjour! Un petit peu less ceremony with this one – just ten ‘thematically entered’ answers and four unclued entries. Still, there’s some grid highlighting to be done, which always gives one a pleasant … Read more >>
Guardian 25,047 (Sat 26 Jun)/Gordius – Don’t panic
Solving time: 6 mins Unless I’m getting my compilers confused (quite possible) I found this much easier than most Gordius puzzles – there were a couple of straightforward long anagrams which helped early … Read more >>
Independent7398/Phi
Rather a strong crossword from Phi today. Everything seems to be soundly and well clued, and the one or two that as usual I can’t understand will I’m sure be perfectly well explained … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,427 / Bradman
An enjoyable puzzle with many nice clues (14D, 17D, for example), but I missed something outstanding (like a memorable &lit) as there usually is in Bradman’s puzzles. Across 1 CROSBY CROS[s] (sorry, reduced) … Read more >>
Guardian 25,052 – Crucible
A topical tennis theme from Crucible, who also covered the Snooker World championships in two out of six previous Guardian puzzles. Plenty of clever cluing, especially 29,12. Across 9 OPERA-GOER =”Met fan”, referring … Read more >>
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 >>