Azed 1,942
Apologies for the late appearance of this analysis and for the lack of any real comment. I cannot remember too much about this puzzle having completed many more crosswords in the time between … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,164 / Jason
I had a number of questions or quibbles here. Across 1 GOSSIP-WRITER *(I REPORT SWIGS) 10 REELING EEL (fish) in RING (bell) 11 VANILLA AN in VILLA (home in Rome). Vanilla is an … Read more >>
Independent 7132 by Punk
A themed puzzle on the punk group SEX PISTOLS (2 down). The associated answers are titles of some of their best-known hits. I found it very tough indeed. Solving time, … Read more >>
Guardian 24,787 – Brendan
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Thank you, Brendan for yet another of … Read more >>
Independent 7131 by Mordred
I am standing in today for a regular blogger who is on holiday. I am not a regular Independent solver and my dictionary of choice tends to be Chambers. It is clear however that The … Read more >>
Guardian 24786 / Chifonie
I thought this was easier than normal for a Chifonie puzzle, but a good level of difficulty for a Monday and satisfying to solve. [Links to the puzzle as HTML, PDF and Java … Read more >>
Everyman No. 3281 (16th August)
Lorraine: Yet again an easy crossword this week. I only had to look up Buffo, and although I knew the word I didn’t know the meaning. Legend to solution comments: * = anagram. … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,017 (16/08/09)
A slightly late posting, on account of a fascinating day’s cricket. I can’t quite make the wordplay for 26ac work, if anyone fancies clearing it up for me. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic … Read more >>
Guardian 24,779 / Puck – Peace, man!
I’m standing in on this puzzle for Rightback, who is away. The 40th anniversary that was celebrated was the Woostock festival, which opened on 15 August 1969. There were also some links to … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 875 – No Complaints by Hypnos
A reasonably quick solve for this one, then a lot of head scratching trying to parse 17d and 26d. This was greatly helped once I had realised the theme and could complete the … Read more >>
Independent 7,129 by Phi
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Top quality as always from Phi. There’s something of a cricket theme going on, for obvious reasons, and “RE” comes up a lot – I’m … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,161 / Alberich
A toughie today! Lots of clever wordplay, deliciously misleading definitions. A treat to solve. Across 1 SALMAN RUSHDIE &lit. Wonderful anagram to start the puzzle with. 9 MUSTARD STAR (the Sun) in MUD … Read more >>
Guardian 24784 / Araucaria
Having an appalling ignorance of history, I found this difficult, and only worked out the theme after filling the grid and Googling the names. The joke is that CABALLEROs might have been members … Read more >>
Independent 7,124 by Anax (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 15/08/09)
I haven’t blogged an Anax puzzle before – in fact I’m not sure that I’ve even seen one in the Independent. That said, the name is of course more than a little familiar … Read more >>
Inquisitor 137 – No Yens by Schadenfreude
This has to be one of the toughest Inquisitors I have ever tackled. I think I have the grid correct though I’m not sure about some of the thematic material. Solving time: several … Read more >>