Independent on Sunday 987 by Quixote (11 Jan 2009)
Solving time, 22 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 SA (DIS) T 4 S (TACK) S 8 KISMET (mistake)* less a (top grade) 9 WEAK SPOT cf ‘speak wot’ , I think 10 … Read more >>
FT12,975 Set by FLIMSY Jan 15 2009
Not as entertaining as yesterday’s gem, with rather a lot of anagrams, and little to challenge. One unusual word in 27a and I was not happy with 10a, but straight-forward on the whole. … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,966 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword on 5 January 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,965 by Mudd
Weekend FT Prize Puzzle from January 3 This puzzle was moderately tough for me and there is one clue (20A) that I fail to completely understand. Across 1. TIGHT-FISTED – double definition 7. … Read more >>
Independent 6941 by Dac
A very tough puzzle from Dac, with some excellent misdirection and great variation all through. Very satisfying to finish, solving time, 36 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 (B)RIGHTO(n) 4 TASHKENT (The tanks)* … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,974 / Cinephile
A colourful puzzle with some delightful clues which were instrumental in providing a great deal of enjoyment. I thought 8d was rather weak and spent a little time trying to determine an alternative answer … Read more >>
Guardian 24,596/Quantum
A straightforward puzzle with nothing particularly exciting and a few very easy clues. Key: dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition * = anagram < = reverse Across 1. TACTFUL (FACT ULT)* … Read more >>
Independent 6940/Virgilius
Now that Virgilius has appeared two weeks in a row, has he decided that he can now do every week again? That would be wonderful, although we shall have to wait and see. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,595 – Gordius
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Not too difficult a puzzle with some … Read more >>
Financial Times 12973 / Armonie
I have two clues to go but my blog can’t wait any longer. 4dn is clue of the puzzle for me. Across 1 HYSTERIA – anag. of this year 5 SHREWD – cha. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,594 – Rufus
I sometimes get psyched out when I can’t get 1A easily, so I took a little while to get started today. Ploughed through most of the puzzle once I got going but took … Read more >>
Independent 6939 by Math
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone Across 1 Bored: ore in BD. 4 Games: Gas around ME. 9 Itchy: [T]itchy. 10 Solitaire: So I lit a [f]ire. 11 Scrabble: (BB + arcs)< + le. 13 … Read more >>
Azed 1910: last chance for honours
Solving time : a few hours, but it took me longer than it might have done because of a misprint in the pdf, whereby the clue for 23 down appeared as the clue … Read more >>
Guardian 24,587 (Sat 3 Jan)/Araucaria – Dammit, I’m mad!
Solving time: 20:32 (two mistakes: 13ac and 7dn) There’s a palindromic theme to this puzzle, built around the very long one referred to at 21ac. I found it hard to get going until … Read more >>
FT 12,970/Alberich
It’s hard to say exactly why Alberich’s puzzles amuse me so much. They seem to exude a sense of attention to detail and cliche-avoidance, which suggest that the clue-writing process was a labour … Read more >>