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 >>
Independent 6937 by Phi
Excellent puzzle from Phi, thought it was going to be relatively easy when I got both 14-letter entries on first run through, but I found it was tricky in both SW and particularly … Read more >>
Guardian 24,592 – Araucaria
An enjoyable Araucaria today, with a completely non-topical theme of the Proms, with a bit of Shakespeare thrown in. dd = double definition* = anagram“” = homophone… = letters removed() = inserted Across … Read more >>
Independent 6932 / Nimrod (03/01/09)
An enjoyable solve, this – very tough in places, easier in others. Not sure about the wordplay in 14 and I’m not confident I’ve got the right answer at 19 either. The grid … Read more >>
Inquisitor 105, WARTIME SUSPENSE by Schadenfreude
The usual shudder occurred when I saw that it was Schadenfreude this week and I wasn’t disappointed! Not only misprinted clues, but also columns with a letter to be moved. This meant that … Read more >>
FT 12,969 by Orense. 8 January 2009
KATZENJAMMER or GUEULE DE BOIS – A hangover in any language from this alcoholic puzzle with drinks from many lands. At least it ended with a coffee! Only 20A was a new word … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 986 by Quixote (4 Jan 2009)
Into the New Year that should see No 1000 in this series. Solving time, 17 mins, if I have solved it – some doubts that I’ll know for sure about only when solution … Read more >>
Guardian 24591 / Logodaedalus
A surprisingly easy puzzle for a Thursday, which I don’t think should have posed people any particular problems. (Although I created some for myself by writing TIGERCATS into the grid instead of STRATEGIC … Read more >>
Independent 6,936 by Radian
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double definition. Quite good fun this one, with enough food and drink references to consitute a theme, I should imagine. Other than that, not much to remark … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,961 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword on 29 December 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,960 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 30 Here we have a typical, charming puzzle from Cincinnus. I especially like 25A and 1D. Across 1. DAMSONS – MAD (nuts) backwards + SONS … Read more >>
Independent 6,935/Dac
Quick one from me today as I’m hella busy. Enjoyed this, though one or two may need explaining. Across 1 HAMLET – HAM,LET 4 HISPANIC – (CHAP IS IN)* 8 AMULET – A,MULE,T[-ethered] … Read more >>