Guardian 24,519 – Rover
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Today, I had to keep looking above … Read more >>
Independent 6862 by Mordred
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone After last week’s debacle, the crossword returned to the printed version in its usual spot inside the back cover. An added benefit to any sports-hating solvers is that it … Read more >>
Guardian 24518/Rufus
A pretty straightforward puzzle from Rufus, with no real ‘complications’ [one of two rather weak clues, I thought] and perhaps fewer cryptic clues than usual. dd: double definition cd: cryptic definition [*]: anagram … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 375 – Why Syria?
There are a couple of questions arising in the chat below that I’d be obliged if someone can answer. Across 1 SPACED AC inside SPED Yet again 1A is the last I fill in … Read more >>
Azed 1897 – Competition puzzle
Solving time: 36 minutes, with Chambers used for about the last 30% of answers. One query left from me about wordplay – so maybe a wrong answer (34), one minor slip-up by Azed … Read more >>
Guardian 24,511 (Sat 4 Oct)/Araucaria – Ship shape
Solving time: 9:02 A very rapid blog this week as I’m already running extremely late! I found this much easier than some of Araucaria’s recent puzzles. There is a geometric theme running through … Read more >>
Guardian 24,516 – Orlando
Nothing too difficult but certainly some very clever clueing and nice surfaces throughout. Loved 24ac. Across 1 CHUMMY CHUMMY=”sociable” and I’ve vaguely heard of police calling a criminal “chummy”. 4 DISCUS DISCUS[s] 9 … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,895 by BRADMAN
Smiffy has had to get his priorities right and put business before pleasure today so unfortunately we won’t be seeing his cheerful avatar. I found this an interesting and entertaining set of clues from Bradman, … Read more >>
Independent 6860 by Phi
I found this quite tough, esp SW corner. Solving time, 26 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 (t)RAP 3 ZIP (nothing) FAST ENER Rene< Archetypal Crossword Frenchman 9 B (OLd) … Read more >>
Independent Saturday Prize No 6855 (Monk)
This was my first attempt at completing an Independent prize crossword (I’m substituting for Neil, who’s on holiday). With one or two exceptions I didn’t find it too difficult, finishing all but one … Read more >>
Inquisitor 92 — THE RIVER by Loda
A very nice puzzle as usual from Loda. Ignoring 1a and 38, I plugged away at the clues hoping to spot a few misprints as I went. Luckily I had KEN… very quickly. … Read more >>
Independent 6,859/Nimrod
A puzzle that will certainly be quicker to blog than it was to solve. I can never easily get my head around Nimrod (or Enigmatist) puzzles, and this one was no exception. I … Read more >>
Guardian 24,515 – Gordius
Not too much of a challenge today, but a few words that were new to me. * = anagram < = reversed (x) = removal (X) = insertion dd = double definition cd … Read more >>
FT 12,894 Set by Orense, 09 October, 2008
I am not sure what the theme was here : quite a number of art references, a couple of birds, and the rest a miscellany. Some very familiar solutions made it quite simple … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 973 by Quixote (5 Oct 2008)
Solving time, 16 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 ASBO Hidden reversal 3 WHITE HORSE This refers to the first FA Cup Final at the Old Wembley in 1923 (Bolton … Read more >>