Financial Times 13,379 / Falcon
Falcon is ideal for days when you want a smooth ride with the crossword without it getting dull. A pleasant puzzle with especially nice clue surfaces, and not much to hold one up … Read more >>
Independent 7349 by Morph
A fine puzzle, themed for General Election day in the UK. A lot of clues had political references but quite a few were nicely misleading with the answers having nothing to do with … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,378 / Phssthpok
This is now two tricky ones in a row. Whereas yesterday’s puzzle was hard(ish) but fair, today’s was made more difficult by some decidedly dodgy clues. I may appear to be a little … Read more >>
Guardian 25,003 / Pasquale
An excellent crossword from Pasquale today, notable for me because of three great &lits, but with many other enjoyable clues as well. The preamble refers to an anniversary: today is the 100th anniversary … Read more >>
Independent 7345 by Nestor – Sat 1st May
Just about the perfect Saturday puzzle for me – challenging enough to take my Times average time plus 50%, but not hard enough for there to be any serious doubt about finishing it. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1055 by Quixote 2nd May 2010
An easier solve this week than last, with only 13dn causing any real problems. The anagram was perfectly clear, but it still took a while to figure out what the word was. The … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1123 – Trendier Days by Raich
Raich is a setter with an increasing output. To my knowledge, he has set Independent blocked crosswords, Listeners, Inquisitors and has a blocked crossword in the latest Magpie. I have acted as a … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,369 – Mudd
Monday Prize Crossword on 26 April 2010 A gentle week opener with many different devices and mostly with lovely surface reading. Easy but enjoyable. ACROSS 1 STUBBORN Cha of STUB (dog-end, small piece … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,368
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of April 24 Here we have a few rather standard clues (6A, 25A) along with a few gems (10A, 11A and 21D). As usual, I found it … Read more >>
Independent 7,348 by Dac
The usual quality Wednesday puzzle from Dac, if a little tougher than some weeks. I failed at 1ac, at least, though everything else fell into place steadily enough. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,377 / Aardvark
Some rather tricky wordplay from Aardvark today with quite a few answers being formed from a combination of an anagram and/or parts of words. On the first run through the clues I thought … Read more >>
Guardian 25,002 / Chifonie
This is a fairly typical Chifonie puzzle, largely made up of charades and straightforward insertions. There is one clue that I particularly liked and, I’m afraid, one that, however good the rest of … Read more >>
Independent 7,347/Math
Always a pleasure to land a puzzle by Math, who is one of my favourite setters in the Indy stable. You can always expect some music references and other assorted pop culture, as … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,376 / Armonie
A good puzzle from Armonie. As alwyas, the clues are concise and generally have smooth, natural surface readings. I wasn’t excited about any of the two-word anagrams but I particularly enjoyed 3, 10 and … Read more >>
Guardian 25,001 – Orlando
As usual, a very fair, amusing and not-too-hard offering from Orlando aka Cincinnus, a regular in the FT Saturday spot. A very good morning’s entertainment ACROSS 1 BUCKBOARD Cha of BUCK (American dollar … Read more >>