Guardian 24,978 / Paul
If there had been no name on this puzzle, I think it would not have taken regular solvers long to supply one. All the Pauline hallmarks are here: cheeky surfaces and / or … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1119 “T” by Nutmeg
I found this difficult to start, but easy to finish (the opposite of my last blog!). I spent hours finding my first three down answers and was feeling pretty despondent until I found that … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,352 / Phssthpok
I thought this puzzle was very creative. Several of the definitions were particularly well-hidden or clever, e.g., 14 down. Across 1 SWASHBUCKLER S (“first: steam”) WASH (clean) BUCKLE (fold) R (“second: iron”). Having … Read more >>
Independent 7,323/Raich
Nice to get a chance to blog a puzzle set by one of our own at last. This is Raich/Niall’s 3rd daily outing (I think) and continues his excellent form to date. There … Read more >>
Guardian 24977 – Orlando
I found this puzzle very much like last week’s Gordius. Challenging and interspersed with some witty and humorous definition. Definitely an enjoyable and delightful solve. ACROSS 1 BOLIVIA B (bachelor) Olivia (girl) 5 … Read more >>
Independent 7322 by Punk (Newspaper had Old Puzzle Printed in Error)
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism As a fan of horror films, this was right up my street. Having said that, I wasn’t completely convinced by the cryptic def for … Read more >>
Guardian 24,976 – Rufus
Somehow I found parts of this harder than usual with Rufus, though on looking back there’s nothing particularly tricky. Unusually there are only two pure cryptic definitions here; less unusually a smattering of … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,049 (28/03/10)
A very nearly pangrammatic grid this week. No sign of a K, however. I suppose it’s not impossible that I’ve slipped up somewhere, but I’m fairly confident that it isn’t there. *=anag, []=dropped, … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3313 (28th March)
Lorraine: Sorry everyone have to admit Nick done the crossword for me this week due to distressing news on Saturday, so it is down to Nick to comment. Nick: Nice to see after … Read more >>
Azed 1974: the man from Walsall
After last week’s offering, which Jetdoc found easy, but which defeated me, I found this special very much easier than a normal Azed, doing much of it on the train without the aid … Read more >>
Genius 81 by Paul
It’s nearly a year since I blogged a Genius and it clearly hasn’t got any easier. This one took me an age to get into, but eventually I got a chink of light … Read more >>
Guardian 24,969 (Sat 27 Mar)/Pasquale – Dead Poets’ Society
Solving time: 14 mins The eight answers referred to in the preamble as being clued without definition are all poets, and as suggested by 8dn they appear in the ‘corners’ of the puzzle. … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 907 – The End of Term by Gioconda
The End of term – A shortish preamble indicating corrections to be applied to definitions and modifications to the other answers before grid entry. Would this puzzle raise an enigmatic smile – Gioconda? … Read more >>
Guardian 24974 / Chifonie
An enjoyable puzzle, with an easy ways in through some obvious anagrams. I have a few quibbles or questions, mentioned below, however. (Apologies for the late post – I’d forgotten I was meant … Read more >>
Independent 7320 by Phi
Themed puzzle, based on 6 across, solving time 23 mins. A few words unfamiliar to me that I was able to work out from the clear and fair wordplay. * = anagram < … Read more >>