Independent 7269 by Radian
Very enjoyable puzzle from Radian, which I found somewhat easier than usual from this setter. Solving time, 20 mins. Nina referred to at end. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 NOUGHT … Read more >>
Guardian 24923 – Pasquale
The Three Tenors, wherever and whenever they sing, never fail to entertain and enthrall me. Ditto, The Three Dons. Pasquale today offered a wide gamut of devices and tricks that are challenging but … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1249 + Picture Quiz
This post is for comments/questions/answers relating to my picture quiz.
Genius 79: Enigmatist — anagrams within anagrams
Oops! I should have assigned this for blogging, but have been somewhat preoccupied. So here’s a very quick, last-minute attempt at a blog. The deadline was orginally given as 6 February, but the … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 79?
I have now published the blog — see above.
Independent 7268 by Hypnos
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism A mostly easy puzzle with a couple of harder clues and one that’s driving me bananas trying to understand. There were some excellent clues … Read more >>
Guardian 24,922 (Rufus)
The week starts with Rufus. Exactly what you might expect with a large number of cryptic definitions. Across 1 EJECTS: (r)EJECTS with R right away 5 SHOWCASE: double definition 9 ABOVE ALL: anagram … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 409 – Doleful Nemesis
Anyone would think the crossword was on Page 3 given the number of pairs of tits on view in the wordplay, usually as anagram fodder – there’s floppy tits, daft tits and of … Read more >>
Azed 1965/groan
As per usual a wordplay or two which I’m not sure of. Somewhat harder than my last Azed outing (1958). And a surprised groan or two were elicited (Azed isn’t the most humorous … Read more >>
Everyman 3304
Not my favourite ever – 11ac is a recent, but not very popular television show which I think is perhaps a little unfair. Also, the way that I parse is, 13dn requires BRAIN … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 898: Prime Suspect by Nutmeg
A puzzle entitled Eggheads in this month’s Magpie (January 2010) and French Polish in last week’s Inquisitor (#1108, 09/01/2010) are Nutmeg’s most recent offerings, and here we are with Prime Suspect. In this … Read more >>
Guardian 24,915 (Sat 28 Sat)/Shed – Busoni non grata
Solving time: Best part of a week before using references for 4ac and 1dn. Sometimes it all goes wrong; this was such an occasion, and I got totally stuck on two clues, despite … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,040 (24/01/10)
A good week, I think. This took me several sessions, but I was determined not to cheat. Everything was ultimately solvable, though 1ac was unfamiliar enough to require some undirected Chambers-browsing on my … Read more >>
Independent 7266 by Phi
I enjoyed this puzzle a lot, very tough and very satisfying to finish, with all understood, and some very well constructed clues, as one expects from Phi. Solving time, 40 mins. * = … Read more >>
Guardian 24,920 / Enigmatist
Well, for me, the week’s ending, as it began, on a high note, with a welcome appearance by Enigmatist. There were some lovely clues, as we would expect, but one or two that … Read more >>