Guardian 24,517 (Sat 11 Oct)/Paul – Brazil nuts
Solving time: 9:51, with a whopping three mistakes (12ac, 26ac and 3dn). Very much 1-0 to the setter – I fell headlong into a beautifully-laid trap at 12ac (and shot myself in the … Read more >>
FT 12,901/Aardvark
Running slightly late today, so I’ll keep the small-talk to a minimum. If anything is unclear or dubious then please leave a message at the tone…… Across 1 DOS-A-DOS – A phrase that … Read more >>
Independent 6,866/Punk
This was a nice treat as I’m a big fan of Punk and was expecting to see Phi. I only managed a handful of clues in the first run through and worried that … Read more >>
Independent 6861/Scorpion (Prize puzzle 11-10-08)
I thought this was a fantastic puzzle: fair and clever (though sometimes complex) wordplay, amusing definitions and some very nice surfaces. Can’t ask for more than that really. Across 1 ECOL(O,G)I,CAL 7 S,KIT … Read more >>
Guardian 24,522/Quantum
I’m a bit pushed for time this morning so apologies for the rather brief comments. A mixed bag today, I thought – nothing terribly exciting, and a few cryptic definitions that I thought … Read more >>
Inquisitor 93 – REDRESS by Phi
I got the TV message straight away. REDRESS and TransVestite (not TeleVision!) indicated that we had to do some cross-dressing. The first clear example was 2 down, where the wordplay pointed to HUSONEY … Read more >>
Guardian 24,521 – Brendan
An interesting theme today, 23A is quite correct! It took me longer than I expected, mainly because the theme psyched me out a bit! * = anagram “” = homophone dd = double … Read more >>
FT 12,900 Set by Flimsy, October 16 2008
This was one of my least satisfactory days – most of the clues were straight forward and easy, but several defeated me. I am sure they are obvious to most people. Au secours!!!! … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 974 by Quixote (12 Oct 2008)
Solving time, 18 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 M UMBO J UMBO 8 B (R) ITTEN 9 EX PERT 11 TOOTHACHE Cryptic definition 12 RI OJ A (A Jo … Read more >>
Independent 6865/Nimrod – The Joy of …
Nimrod. Brilliant. With an interesting grid that I don’t remember seeing much before which helps the solver by providing a goodly number of first letters. This solve went very well kicking off with … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,890 by Cinephile
The Weekend Prize Crossword from 4th October 2008 Cinephile seriously stumped me with 15D here. (No doubt someone will enlighten me.) I nominate 27A for the best clue Across 1. FLAT-PACK – FLAT … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,891 – Falcon
From Monday Prize Crossword on 6th October 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = … Read more >>
Thursday’s Independent Puzzle
I’m supposed to be blogging tomorrow but I’m not going to be able to find the time as I have to look after my little boy for the day (he’s the happy chap … Read more >>
Guardian 24520 / Paul
Apologies for the late posting today – I’m stuck on a train, so internet access is a bit frustrating, and I’m afraid that as a result some of these explanations aren’t as well … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,899 by IO
Well, that gave my brain a workout for today. At times I felt as if I was solving one of the weekend barred/thematic crosswords. An ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ primary theme and a … Read more >>