Inquisitor 122 – Papa by Phi
The preamble stated that ‘eight double clues lead to two solutions (two of two words); straddling the two in the order presented is a thematic word. The thematic words (one of two words) … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 860 – AWOL by Kcit
A little more difficult than some EVs, with one or two clues holding me up for a short while and one quibble at 31d. I’m not sure I like being given a solving … Read more >>
FT 13,070/ Orense
Some bog-standard gridonomics from Orense today. The word PILOT appearing in the left hand column caught my eye, but the opposite edge doesn’t seem to contain anything related by way of a continuation. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,693 – Gordius
Found most of this straightforward, but did have to check the definitions of 10, 24 and 27. Particularly liked 12. Across 1 FLAMING FLAMING[o] 5 FORBEAR FOR BEAR 10 OBAN “anything goes” => … Read more >>
Independent 7,038/Morph
The Indy has been on rather fine form of late and this puzzle was certainly one of the most enjoyable ones I’ve done in a while. Some very nice clues here and there’s … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1003 by Quixote (3 May 2009)
Solving time, 16 mins * = anagram ACROSS 6 CAT (A) COMB 8 T U’S CAN TU = trade union 9 GRINDSTONE (Dinner’s got)* 10 Sir Anthony E DEN 11 SO (PH IS)T … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,061 – Falcon
Monday Prize Crossword on 27 April 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,060 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of April 25 A slightly more challenging Cincinnus puzzle than usual by my reckoning. I especially like 3D and 19D. Across 1. INDIANAPOLIS – NAPOLI (Italian city) … Read more >>
Independent 7037 by Dac
Solving time, 19 mins * = anagram < = reversal ACROSS 1 RE (GA)IN 4 CHASSEUR (crushes a)* 9 MORE L 10 BAR BAD IAN 11 STE (AmsterdaM)ER 12 TEN DRIL “drill” 13 … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,069 / Satori
I found this a little tricky in places, particularly when trying to parse one or two of the clues. I was not too happy with 4d and 14d (see below), and 25d required … Read more >>
Guardian 24,692/Brendan
I was lucky enough to blog Brendan’s “note” puzzle a couple of weeks ago, and he produced an amazing puzzle yesterday in the Independent (as Virgilius); here he is again with a Pope-themed … Read more >>
Independent 7,036 by Virgilius
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. An interesting exercise in “words that are like other words, but with the initial letter chopped off”. I think it took longer to type out … Read more >>
Azed – Spoonerism tips
Apart from the “definitions […] distorted by one Spoonerism” ones being much easier for me, and “don’t give up too easily – checking letters will help”, I don’t have a lot of helpful … Read more >>
Guardian 24,691 / Paul
A typically enjoyable Paul puzzle, with several witty clues and a couple of cheeky ones. 4ac is a nice reference to his Marathon run – well done, Paul! cd: cryptic definition dd: double … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,068 / Crux
Some good clues, but also a few that I had questions about. Across 1 TOTAL RECALL cd (or maybe I should call it an overlapping d&cd: “perfect memory” and “memory for sums?”) 7 ALE Simple … Read more >>