Independent on Sunday 999 by Quixote (5 Apr 2009)
I found this a little harder than normal, 19 and 20 across in particular, the latter not fully understood. Solving time, 32 mins. A theme to it. I refer to this after the … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,038 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword on 30 March 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,037 by Cincinnus
FT Weekend prize puzzle from March 28 Another beauty from Cincinnus. I especially liked 1A, 14A, 28A, 5D and 7D. Across 1. BUDGIE – I (one) in BUDGE (stir) 4. DIASPORA – A[i]R[c]O[r]P[s] … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,046 / Io
Well, this one was different! Some very liberal cluing of definitions in places and a lot of cds. Some of the surfaces seemed a little odd on first reading but with hindsight I … Read more >>
Independent 7013/Dac
In ‘Logical Chess’, by Irving Chernev, the author takes it upon himself to make a comment on every single move. As you might expect, the commentary on the opening moves of games become … Read more >>
Guardian 24,668/Paul
A very enjoyable puzzle from Paul, with (I think) nothing that could be regarded as obscure. (By the way, Hugh Stephenson’s latest newsletter discusses what counts as general knowledge – see the Guardian … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,045 / Moodim
Definitely a puzzle at the ‘easy’ end of the FT spectrum with many obvious and simple anagrams, charades, reversals etc. However, I am not particularly happy with the clue for 14d. As worded … Read more >>
Guardian 24,667 – Araucaria
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram For 15 minutes, I sat, stunned and … Read more >>
Independent 7,012 by Virgilius
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Interesting puzzle. The across clues present us with various ways of stating the obvious, whilst the many, very short, down clues seem to just fill … Read more >>
Guardian 24,666 – Rufus
An auspicious puzzle number to start the week with. Very satisfactory Monday fare, with a couple of puzzlers but no real complaints and a lot of enjoyment! I especially liked 15ac, I’m not … Read more >>
Independent 7011 by Hypnos
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def This was a puzzle of two halves for me. I flew through the left side of the grid but struggled for a while to get going with … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 69 / Lavatch
I found this to be the toughest Genius in a while, but very satisfying to solve. In each of the clues which must be changed, I have listed the clued answer first and … Read more >>
Azed 1922
Azed is on good form in this crossword, and some of the clues have excellent surfaces. Across 1 DOWLAS — owl in (sad)rev. 6 PHRASY — p{oseur} (syrah)*, nice [something]&lit. 10 HONEYCARTS — … Read more >>
Beelzebub 997 (29/03/09)
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. A day later than usual on account of a ridiculously busy week at work. I may move these posts to Saturday anyway though, as it … Read more >>
Guardian 24,659 (Sat 28 Mar)/Pasquale – Great Scott
Solving time: 7:55 The 9 thematic answers (starred below) were all historical figures with whom the epithet ‘Great’ is associated. No Alexander, but there are some famous examples such as Alfred, Catherine and … Read more >>