Beelzebub 1,041 (31/01/10)
A mixed week for me. I proudly managed all but a handful quite quickly without opening a dictionary, stumbled on a couple more, then failed on 4dn having inexplicably written in HORNPIPE at … Read more >>
Guardian 24926 / Rover
A quick solve for us apart from 12 across, which I don’t understand. Across 7. DANSEUSE Cryptic definition; “Nice girl” is meant to be read as “A girl from Nice”, along with “corps … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,302 / Adamant
Plenty of anagrams made this an easy ride. I have questions at one or two places, indicated along with the answers to clues. Across 1 SPHERICAL (CAR IS HELP)* 6 OASIS O (ring) … Read more >>
Independent 7272/Phi
The usual good product from Phi. Several enormous anagrams — he must have been out with his Scrabble tiles. Across 1 ‘S A MOA — I think, although ‘s for it’s I’m not … Read more >>
Financia Times 13,301 / Bradman
Bradman seems to be cropping up quite regularly in the Thursday slot of late, which is fortunate for me from a blogworthiness standpoint. 14A features a potentially new clue type (the subjective &lit), … Read more >>
Guardian 24925 / Orlando
A delightful puzzle from Orlando, which shouldn’t have caused too many problems on the bus or train and may have elicited curious looks from fellow-passengers at the smiles and ‘ahas’ along the way. … Read more >>
Independent 7,267 by Anax (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 30/01/10)
Another challenging-but-fun weekend puzzle from Anax, which kept me occupied for some time, and briefly had me wondering if I was going to manage it. In the end everything came together nicely of … Read more >>
Independent 7,271 by Morph
It seems to be nearly a year since I blogged a Morph, and I do remember struggling with that one. This seemed a bit easier, though still pretty challenging of course, so maybe … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1042 by Quixote – 31 Jan 2010
Solving time, 26 mins, found top half harder than bottom half. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 TH(e) WAR conflicT 5 (d)IVAN 8 LEGIT (I’M)ATISED I’m in (I get details)* 10 … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,292 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword on 25 January 2010 Once again, Dante charms us with his smooth and slick surfaces for a gentle introduction to another FT week. Some of his cryptic definitions are priceless … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,291 by Cinephile
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 23 Here’s a themed puzzle (lots of iron and irons) with a theme that there’s nothing to figure out about. And a theme that is … Read more >>
Independent 7,270/Dac
I found this a bit tougher than the average Dac. There are quite a few single word answers of 10 or more characters and these often seem to slow me down. Lovely clueing … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,300 / Aardvark
I’m sorry to say that I found this puzzle rather uninspiring, though that may just be me. Some of the surfaces seemed contrived, or made little sense, and the nature of the wordplay meant … Read more >>
Guardian 24,924 – Araucaria
An enjoyable puzzle from Araucaria today that was of the “just right” level of difficulty for me in a daily puzzle, and with not too many extreme liberties taken. The theme is words … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,299 / Jason
One clue I can’t quite figure out (5 down); I’m sure someone will help. Across 1 RABBIT WARREN RABBIT (gas, as in to talk excessively) WAR (conflict) RE (on) N (new) 8 POLENTA … Read more >>