Guardian 24,682/Paul – On the run
A very enjoyable and typically witty puzzle from Paul, based around his participation in the London Marathon this weekend. Key: * = anagram dd = double definition < = reverse Across 1. POTASSIUM … Read more >>
Independent 7022/Scorpion (Prize puzzle 18-04-09)
Tough but fair, as always with this setter. The NW corner gave me lots of problems but I got there in the end with just one answer I’m not completely sure about at … Read more >>
Inquisitor 120 — 1 Across by Schadenfreude
Despite some initial misgivings this turned out to be a straightforward puzzle from Schadenfreude. Quite a few answers seemed to fit and a couple were too short but their first and last letters … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 858 — Twenty-two by MynoT
Lots of jumbles make me nervous. What’s more all the down answers, and there are lots of them, are jumbled. And…there are only six across clues, the remaining entries make up 21 thematic … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,058/Viking
A few clues in here where the wordplay or structure seem to be a bit too forced, in order to make the idea work (e.g. 19A, 2D). However, the impressive device at 3D … Read more >>
Guardian 24,681 – Shed
Medium difficulty today, I’d say. No obvious theme aside from maybe 11ac and 1dn! I like Shed normally, and this was no exception – the unknown words all seem to somehow be etymologically … Read more >>
Independent 7,026 by Ascalon
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. A début? Certainly not a setter I’ve come across before. I didn’t find this unduly taxing, but everything was very well put together. There’s a … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1001 by Quixote (19 Apr 2009)
The standard excellent Quixote puzzle as it heads into the second thousand. Solving time, 25 mins. SW corner by far the hardest for me. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 MI … Read more >>
New Administrator
As of this week there is a new administrator at Fifteensquared, myself Gaufrid. Chatmeister will cease to exist, instead any relevant comments will be posted under my pseudonym. My aim is to make … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,049 – Mudd
Monday Prize Crossword on 13 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 13,048 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of 11 April Cincinnus gives us another very fine puzzle. Every clue is technically perfect (as usual) and a good few are impressive. Across 1. NEWSREEL – … Read more >>
Independent 7,025/Dac
A not-too-tricky-but-not-in-any-way-less-enjoyable-than-usual offering today. Nice stuff. And apologies for the brief blog, I’ve been busy out enjoying the sun! Across 1 FAIR – F,AIR 4 ULTIMATELY – TIM in U,LATELY 9 MASTODON – … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,057 / Dogberry
A pleasurable solve today despite the limited interconnection between the four corners of the grid. Hard in places and a few uncommon words, for which I have given the Chambers’ definitions below. . … Read more >>
Guardian 24,680 – Orlando
dd = double definitioncd = cryptic definitionrev = reversed or reversalins = insertioncha = charadeha = hidden answer*(fodder) = anagram Thank you, Eileen, for chipping in yesterday while I was away on a … Read more >>
Guardian 24,679 / Araucaria
Apologies for the delay: I’m a late substitute, so apologies, too, for any typos, etc.I thought this was a delight, though I’m quite prepared for some to say it was more appropriate for … Read more >>