Financial Times 13,230 / Neo
Some pleasantly tricky clues from Neo today. Across 1 PLASTIC SURGEON *(SUSPECTING ORAL) 10 HOGAN HOG (pig) AN (one). The reference, of course, is to Hogan’s Heroes. I can still hear the theme … Read more >>
Independent 7198 by Nimrod
Extremely impressive by Nimrod. Fitting about a dozen examples of the themed answer LAND OF MAKE-BELIEVE into the grid. Made very little progress till I worked out that thematic answer after about 20 … Read more >>
Guardian 24853 – Paul
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram A delightful puzzle centred around GAME (answer … Read more >>
Guardian 24,852 (Rufus)
Starting the week off with Rufus. A typical enjoyable Rufus crossword with a high number of cryptic definitions. Across 8 SICK NOTE: anagram of TICKS ONE 9 LARVA: R in LAVA (burning issue) … Read more >>
Independent 7197 by Morph
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def, DD=double def, sp=spoonerism This was an excellent puzzle celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall. There were some tough clues but the presence of a theme which … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 403 – Hate Figures
What a cock-up – They repeated 402 in the magazine – Have they been taking on ex-Grauniad typesetters? So this crossword 403 was only available on the Eye’s website . I expect we … Read more >>
Azed 1953
Due to the postal strike the closing date for entries has been put back to Saturday 14/11/2009 so today’s blog has been rescheduled for next Sunday.
Independent on Sunday 1029 by Quixote – 1 November 2009
Unusual crossword in that it said “For ATS, remembering particularly those clued across without definition” It turned out that every across answer was the first name of a person. I guess ATS refers … Read more >>
Everyman 3292
Sorry for the brevity of this post – I was busy all last weekend so it’s all been slightly last minute… Fortunately not too difficult – if it had been I probably wouldn’t … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,028 (01/11/09)
I was rather proud of how well I did here, managing all answers but one before even opening the dictionary. I won't tell which one defeated me as it's one of the easier … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 886: Toss Up by Warbler
A relatively simple preamble: eight answers require modification based on a quotation and author running round the perimeter. Although some parts of the puzzle were a bit tricky, it helped seeing ?IRS?????LB? in … Read more >>
Guardian 24,845 (Sat 31 Oct)/Paul – Poppy culture
Solving time: 14 mins, about half of which on 7dn (TOMATO PUREE) and 10ac (GROOM). I enjoyed this as much as any Guardian puzzle of recent times. The highlight is probably the remarkable … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,227 / Hamilton
Hamilton’s second puzzle in FT, I believe. More adventurous in wordplay than the debut puzzle a few weeks ago. I had a good time solving it. One or two words (18a,14d) that needed … Read more >>
Guardian 24,850 / Rover
A rather mixed bag today, with one or two nice clues but also several doubtful double / cryptic definitions and a couple of unusual anagram indicators. Across ! SANDWICH COURSE: double / cryptic … Read more >>
Independent 7195/Phi
The usual very pleasant offering from Phi. One or two I’m not quite clear about, but that will be me not him I’m pretty sure. Across 7 BI(R)D LIME 9 appaREL IS Hard … Read more >>