Financial Times 12,885 – Dante
From Monday Prize Crossword on 29th September 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,884 by Cincinnus
Even a run-of-the-mill Cincinnus is jolly fine. Across 1. ALICE SPRINGS – cryptic definition 10. ROBINIA – ROBIN (boy wonder) + AI (sloth) backwards 11. GUMDROP – MUG (face) backwards + DR (doctor) … Read more >>
Independent 6858/Dac
A typical Dac, full of elegant and tidy clues. I found most of it easier than usual, until I came up against 6dn. Across 1 PATCHES UP — Pa (the cups)* 6 CIVIC … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,893 by MONK
It’s been a few weeks since we’ve seen Monk in the FT (just under six to be precise) so this came as a pleasant change. Some easy clues, some harder ones and some … Read more >>
Guardian 24,514/Araucaria – present and correct
A birthday treat for me – blogging Araucaria. Not too hard by his standards, though there were a few tricky areas and one rather obscure answer at 5dn. Key: dd = double definition … Read more >>
Independent 6857/Virgilius — Normal Service Again
What a relief. When no crossword appeared on Monday, I wondered if the Indy had quietly dropped it, but when I rang them they admitted their error. To do them justice, they did … Read more >>
Guardian 24,513 – Puck
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram I am truly blessed. Last week, I … Read more >>
Financial Times 12892 / Highlander
Just a glance at the clues and I realised that, as one coming after weekend and prize puzzles, this crossword is a piece of cake. So I adopted a different approach to my … Read more >>
Independent 6856 by Eimi – ‘Tis the Season to Miss out the Crossword
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed I don’t know if the Indy has dropped the cryptic crossword altogether from its published edition but, despite annoying other passengers on the train by noisily going through my paper … Read more >>
Guardian 24512/Rufus
As ever, a great fun puzzle for the start of the week from Rufus, with lots of “A-ha!” moments with the cryptic definitions. I found the top left corner was much harder than … Read more >>
Guardian Genius no.63, Brummie: The final curtain
As a newcomer to the Genius since the site went free, I found this OK but a little – not hard to get going with, but tough to finish because the entry method … Read more >>
Azed 1896 – Giving Chambers a workout
As always, an enjoyable challenge from Azed, with some lovely clues. The two long answers at 1ac and 1dn were pretty easy to spot, and were a big help in getting going with … Read more >>
Guardian 24,505 (Sat 27 Sep)/Araucaria – Breech of the peace
Solving time: 33 mins (one mistake, a misspelling of BREECHES) I found this ‘Araubetical’ (© Muck) very difficult, mostly because of the high number of unchecked initial letters – in fact, after 20 … Read more >>
FT 12,889/Mudd
This puzzle seemed, frankly, a little underwhelming compared to Mudd’s usual standard. Not that there is anything wrong with it, per se; just seems a tad light on imagination or inspiration. I suppose … Read more >>
Inquisitor 91 – Open Wide by Nutmeg
I forgot to solve this puzzle when I should have done, but when I recieved a “where’s that blog?” e-mail, decided I ought to be able to solve the puzzle, given that I … Read more >>