Private Eye/Cyclops 380 – Taking ones Moet
A few reasonably tricky clues this time, and a bit of a panic when stuck on 4D, so quite satisfying to finish this one in the end. This week’s Eye dropped on my … Read more >>
Azed 1907 — Plain
A fairly standard Azed, I think. Lots of words of which I’d never heard, fairly predictable and verified in Chambers, and as usual a very well-constructed grid, with words of many lengths (except that … Read more >>
Guardian 24,571 (Sat 13 Dec)/Araucaria – Jingle Bells
Solving time: 16 mins, one missing (6dn) If I’d been well schooled in Brontë, this would have been one of my fastest solves of an Araucaria crossword – surprising, considering the grid, which … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 841 – Open Chambers by Kea
On my initial run through the clues I had a feeling that this might be the first EV that I’d failed to solve, particularly as I was still struggling with the final stage … Read more >>
FT 12,955/MUDD (Master of Ubiquitous Double Definitions?)
Apologies for the lateish and skeletal blog today; didn’t manage to get near a PC earlier, and there’s an impending blizzard in this neck of the woods, so I have to dash before … Read more >>
Independent 6920 by Phi
A puzzle with a seasonal theme. I’d not heard the quote before so it took me quite a while to tease it all out esp as, understandably, fitting the quote in meant more … Read more >>
Guardian 24,576 – Gordius
Not too hard today but a few unsatisfactory clues. “” = homophone * = anagram < = reversed Across 1. SCARCE. SCARFACE – ‘FA’. Fa is the subdominant note of the scale. 5. … Read more >>
Independent 6915/Morph
Nice puzzle with an amusing mini-theme. I couldn’t get 10 and I don’t understand all of the wordplay in 5. Not completely convinced about 14d either, although I can’t see what else the … Read more >>
Inquisitor 102 – Responsibility by Kruger
I have certainly increased my knowledge of obscure Gods and Goddesses from different mythologies as a result of this puzzle, but am very grateful that I had a copy of the specific reference … Read more >>
Guardian 24575 / Puck
Apologies for any errors here – I’m rather beset by work and illness at the moment. My partner did about half of these, so thanks to her for the help… Across 9,19,7 and … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 983 by Quixote (14 Dec 2008)
Solving time, 17 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 S (LO) UCH 4 SAUCE (PA) N (can use)* 9 ELGAR L in rage< 10 PNEUMATIC (Team in Cup)* 11 G … Read more >>
Financial Times No. 12,954, Set by Cincinnus, Dec 18, 2008
A speedy crossword this morning with very little to challenge the solver. My only concern is the three letter word at 25d. I may not have the appropriate explanation, and am open, as … Read more >>
Independent 6,919 by Nimrod
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone Fairly typical Nimrod, I think. Unconventional in places, with a few tenuous ones and a couple that I’ll need you to explain to me. There’s a theme in the … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,945 – Dante
Monday FT Prize Crossword on 8 December 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,944 by Cincinnus
FT Weekend Prize Puzzle from December 6 I am in a rush this week so here is my analysis with minimal comments. Across 1. TOM WOLFE – WOLF (predator) in TOME (book) 5, … Read more >>