Independent 7070 – Mordred (Sat 13 June 2009)
This was a Cocker-knee rhyming slang special. I ‘ad t’scratch me old loaf a bit to solve this one. There were a good sprinkling of relatively easy clues for a saturday to get … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,106 / Sleuth
A late solve, and an even later posting. But better late than never, as was the case last Thursday. After the first couple of across clues, I suspected that we were on for … Read more >>
Independent 7,074 by Scorpion
I found this one a pretty stiff challenge, but that may simply be because when I see that the setter is Scorpion I tend to panic a little. The wordplay is complex, but … Read more >>
Guardian 24,729 / Quantum
Quantum’s posthumous puzzles continue to appear, more than a year after his death. I found this one mostly pretty easy going, though I was slightly held up at the end with the two … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,096 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 6 A mighty strong puzzle from Cincinnus this time. I am awed by 26A and also like 5A and 13A. It took me some time … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1009 by Quixote (14 June 2009)
Solving time, 17 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 F (LE AB) AG able-bodied seaman 5 S (A BIN)E Ancient people in Italy 8 I BEG YOUR PARDON (brooder guy … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,097 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword on 8 June 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Guardian 24,728 / Araucaria
I do enjoy Araucaria’s libertarianism and today was no exception. A mini theme revolving around ‘the House’ which, according to Chambers, can be “at Oxford, Christ Church (Aedes Christi), in London, the Stock … Read more >>
Independent 7,073/Dac
A little tougher than usual for Dac today I thought, but great stuff as ever. Across 1 PARADE – “RAID” on P.A 4 CHAIRMAN – C(onservative),HAIR MAN (barber!) 9 LAVISH – LAV-ISH, ‘John’ … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,105 / Monk
A good assortment of clue types today in a moderately challenging puzzle. As usual with Monk, all clues were scrupulously fair but so far I have been unable to understand the wordplay in 21a. … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,104 / Jason
Some odd surfaces, some odd anagram indicators, and other quibbles. I’m afraid I wasn’t a fan of this one. Thanks to Gaufrid for clearing up 10ac and 3dn for me. Across 8 GARLIC GAR … Read more >>
Independent 7072/Virgilius
As almost always with Virgilius, a beautiful production with an original and enjoyable theme. I think it’s simply 13dn, with 19dn, 5dn and 2dn appearing in the grid, and many of the answers … Read more >>
Guardian 24,727 – Puck
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram I found Puck such a delight to … Read more >>
What’s up at FT?
Is it just me or are you also getting the same? Saturday puzzle still not there and also the Monday Prize puzzle which I am supposed to blog. Financial Times Crossword and Polymath … Read more >>
Guardian 24726 / Rufus
A very rushed post today – apologies in advance for any errors! My favourite here was 13 across for its deceptive crosswordese and nice surface reading. Across 5. PERIOD PE = “Exercises” followed … Read more >>