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 >>
Independent 7,315 by Bannsider (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 27/03/10)
Another solve of two halves for me, racing away to start with, then grinding to a halt on the last few. The SE gave me the most grief, with 22 and 24 defeating … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,349 / Bradman
A pity that today’s puzzle decided to do an online impersonation of the Scarlet Pimpernel, as it’s worthy of a broader audience than it’ll probably end up receiving. If anything, some answers in … Read more >>
Independent 7,319 by Nimrod
One doesn’t tend to expect a Nimrod to be easy, but this was perhaps tougher than usual. Fortunately, the Nina on the top and bottom rows made itself evident fairly early on, and … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1050 by Quixote 28th March 2010
Very much a game of two halves this one: figuratively, in that we completed most of it within twenty minutes, but then spent as long again on the remainder; and also literally, in … Read more >>
Guardian 24,973 / Paul
I was rather apprehensive at being down to blog today, especially when I saw Paul’s name on the puzzle. After completing the grid, I stared at it but, apart from CLOT leaping out … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1118 – Mine by Charybdis
A pleasant puzzle from Charybdis – nothing too taxing. I finished this in one sitting on the Saturday evening of publication. When the preamble mentioned Latin I groaned a bit. Foreign languages are … Read more >>
Cryptic Crossword Survey – Participants needed
Kathryn Friedlander and Philip Fine, at the University of Buckingham, are launching an on-line survey to investigate the cognitive skills, motivation and development of expertise of those who tackle cryptic crosswords. They are … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,340 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword on 22 March 2010 Dante is back with another light and easy week-opener. As usual, he impressed with his slick construction and smooth surfaces. I wonder whether 16Across can be … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,339 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 20 A specially good puzzle from Mudd this time. I like 9A, 15A, 23A, 5D and 14D. Across 1. COMPASS – M (male) in COP … Read more >>
Independent 7,318/Dac
More brilliance from Dac. As good a set of clues as I’ve seen in a long while, although he’s stumped me on 15D! Across 1 SEPTET – PT. in SEE + T(enor) 4 … Read more >>
Guardian 24,972 – Enigmatist
As is often the case with Enigmatist, I found it quite hard to get started on this one. Getting the long linked answers helped a lot, but even then there were some tricky … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,348 / Cinephile
Not a lot to say today. The puzzle didn’t seem to have any sparkle though my feelings about it may have been affected by the high winds and heavy rain that are making … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,347 / Dante
Apologies to all — I did not have a chance to blog until quite late today. No-one familiar with this setter will be surprised at the number of cryptic definitions. However, most of … Read more >>