Enigmatic Variations 850: Bells by Gioconda
Subsidiary indications in 32 clues lead to extra letters which spell out a novel and its author. The remaining ten clues lack definitions and, either alone or paired, are thematic. 22A is a … Read more >>
Independent 6,978/Punk
More enviably entertaining, inventive stuff from Mr Cryptica. There’s plenty to admire here as always, with 21A and 20D being the standouts for me. Across 1 FLIP-FLOP – A pair of double defs … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,011 / Bradman
I always enjoy one of the Don’s crosswords and this was no exception. Some clever clues and I particularly liked 28a even though it went in on the first pass. 19a, 22a, 5d, … Read more >>
Guardian 24,633 – Araucaria
An interesting theme today, and luckily for me something I managed to guess early on – I suspect it’d be somewhat impenetrable if you can’t guess what BG stands for (I’ve assumed British … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 993 by Quixote (22 Feb 2009)
I found this trickier than usual, solving time, 26 mins. RHS much harder than LHS * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 SON A TA 4 S (MASH) HIT (this)* 9 O … Read more >>
FT 13,002 – Falcon
Monday Prize Crossword on 16 February 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Financial Times 13,001 by Gozo
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 14 I don’t recall coming across Gozo before. I liked having a different sort of puzzle for a change but the nature of it made … Read more >>
FT 13,010/Dogberry
Unless my mind if failing me once more it’s been a case of “long time/no see” from Dogberry. Regardless, I found this puzzle typically 25A. Across 1 FORELOCK – cole(rev) in fork. Sounds … Read more >>
Independent 6977 by Dac
Not too difficult, I found, solving time 22 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 OPUS hidden 4 Long John SILVER WAR E 10 LE AN-T O Collins confirms it can … Read more >>
Guardian 24632 / Gordius
A very rushed post today, since I’m about to get on an aeroplane, and I’m afraid that as a result I won’t be able to update it with corrections until much later. There … Read more >>
Independent 6976/Eimi
One or two that I can’t understand, but plenty of nice clues today. No doubt there is a Nina staring me in the face, but apart from several references to pans and to cakes I … Read more >>
Guardian 24,631 / Paul
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Since last week, I have undergone surgery … Read more >>
Financial Times 13009 / Moodim
Across 1 LOSS ADJUSTER – los (sad, just) er 10 NETBALL – n, (ballet)* – Good clue. 11 DIABOLO – anag. of what remains after deleting the letters t, e, n, d, s … Read more >>
Guardian 24630 – Rufus
sorry if this is a bit terse, internet went down at home so am solving/blogging between lectures. I got through this quickly with a few niggles. Liked 18ac. Across 1 DESCRIBE (seed)* around … Read more >>
Independent 6975 by Virgilius
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, CD=cryptic def A topical, Oscar-themed puzzle which I found quite enjoyable but may not be to the taste of non-film buffs, especially since some of the films referenced were … Read more >>