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 >>
Independent 7004 by Tyrus (Prize Puzzle 28 Mar)
Standing in for the normal blogger and would be delighted to receive explanations on what I’ve missed. It was a very challenging and enjoyable puzzle, with some cracking, devious, clues. Very tough indeed … Read more >>
Independent 7009/Phi
The usual nice Phi today: he seldom has any clues that shout their brilliance at you, but there are always many very satisfactory ones nevertheless. I’m bewildered by two of them and fully … Read more >>
Guardian 24,664 – Gordius
Very enjoyable today, quite a few c.d.s which seems to be a Gordius trait. d.d. = Double definition c.d. = Cryptic definition “” = homophone * = anagram Across 1. ACCRETION. AC(C. + … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,042 / Mudd
Some well-concealed hidden words (21A, 26A) and amusing wordplay (1A, 12A, 17D) in this one. I was very entertained with the puzzle overall. A couple of clues look a little questionable to me … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 855 — The Rule by Salamanca
A lovely simple puzzle from Salamanca. Clear, straightforward cluing with no misprints or extra words made solving this fairly easy; certainly easier than some of Salamanca’s Listener puzzles. The only devices to throw … Read more >>
Inquisitor 117 QUO VADIS? BY Charybdis
Most of the clues were reasonably straightforward, which was particularly necessary where there were clashes (sometimes multiple ones). Many were really inventive and entertaining. The puzzle element was considerably less straightforward! We were looking for a … Read more >>