Independent 6983/Dac
The usual excellent crossword from Dac, but when is he ever less than excellent? I found this unusually easy apart from two clues, one of which I got wrong. After doing 4ac and … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,016 / Cinephile
An enjoyable, though I thought somewhat easier than usual (the non-thematic clues at least), Cinephile today in which we were told ‘the monarch is the same throughout’. The first thematic entry I got … Read more >>
Guardian 24,638 / Chifonie
A very straightforward puzzle today, with very little to comment on. 14dn raised a wry smile but, for me, it doesn’t match Paul’s classic ‘Man United playing away from home.’ [ ] * … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,015 / Armonie
A new blogger is required for the Tuesday FT otherwise this puzzle will not be covered as from a couple of weeks time. If you are interested in contributing a blog each week … Read more >>
Independent 6,982 by Monk
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. I’ve never blogged a Monk before, so didn’t know what to expect. It turned out to be a fairly quick solve with some top-notch surfaces, … Read more >>
Guardian 24,637 – Orlando
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite a delighful and enjoyable puzzle with … Read more >>
Independent No 6981 by Hypnos
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def Relatively straightforward with well written clues. There was just one clue I didn’t follow fully (24 down). Across 1 Automatic: Double definition (refers to an automatic car). … Read more >>
Guardian 24,636/Rufus
A gentle but enjoyable start to the week from Rufus, with no major hold-ups. I just have a slight doubt about my explanation of 12ac. dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 385 – Clean and …
Anyone else find this much more difficult this time? I had an empty top right corner for some time, a number of clues didn’t “firm up” till I was writing this blog, and … Read more >>
Azed 1917: In a bit of a spot
An Azed of average difficulty; somewhat marred, however, by three mistakes, the most serious of which is that the wrong word seems to have been clued at 26d (which, in the grid, is … Read more >>
Guardian 24,629 (Sat 21 Feb)/Araucaria – Georgia off my mind
Solving time: About 15 mins, with 12ac missing and 5dn wrong. About medium difficulty this week; I fell down on the artist at 13ac, in part thanks to an error at 5dn. There’s … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,012 / Sleuth
A relatively gentle end to the working week. Nothing obscure apart from, possibly, the Spanish poet and dramatist at 24a and the Italian frothy custard at 14d. There was a strong temptation to … Read more >>
Beelzebub 992 (22/02/09)
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. This was a welcome distraction on an 11-hour flight to California. I was surprised to manage all but four squares of this one without reference … Read more >>
Independent 6979 – Phi
My first venture into blogging about the Independent, and an enjoyable puzzle to start with! Plenty of good surfaces and not too many unfamiliar words (1dn and 23ac being the only times I … Read more >>
Independent 6974/Nestor (Prize puzzle 21-02-09)
Top-notch puzzle from Nestor which, annoyingly, I was unable to finish. I really should be able to get 3 as it’s only a short word but 6 is more of a mystery. Any … Read more >>