Guardian, 24492 (Brummie)
Didn’t find this easy and am still unsure about 9a Across 9 RANCOROUS: ANCOR in anagram of SOUR; but why ANCOR? (is it a homophone of ANCHOR) 12,3 WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN: WONDERFUL (modern meaning … Read more >>
Guardian 24,491 – Auster
The setter’s name doesn’t ring a bell, but I enjoyed the style. Luckily I got 5D first and was fairly confident I could get most of the linked clues but was stuck for … Read more >>
Independent 6835/Scorpion
Across 1 ASS,ASS,IN – I liked “rears” to indicate the two ASSes. 9 B(I,OP)IC – writers aren’t always people. 10 BAN< in WANE – I’m pretty sure I haven’t come across WANNABE in … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,870 set by Falcon, Sep 11th 2008
ACROSS A rather dull and obvious puzzle I am afraid – the sort where you see the answers as the sheet is coming off the printer. I have struggled to make anything interesting … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 969 by Quixote (7 Sep 2008)
Solving time, 12 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 S WITCH 4 D (RAG ST) ER 9 D (ISM) AY 10 UP STREAM (master)* 12 ARETHA FRANKLIN (Enthral/irk a fan)* … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,860 by Cincinnus
I found this more challenging than the typical Cincinnus puzzle but just as enjoyable and satisfying. I failed to fathom the wordplay in one clue, 16A. I especially liked 9A, 10A, 2D and … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,861 – Dante
From Monday Prize Puzzle on 1 September 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = … Read more >>
Guardian 24,490/Araucaria
I’d only just finished Araucaria’s Saturday puzzle, which I found very hard, so I was a bit apprehensive when I saw his name again. Fortunately this one was a lot less troublesome, though … Read more >>
Independent 6,834/Dac
Busy busy today, so apologies for the late (and quick) blog. I found this fairly tough in places but, as ever, some lovely clues from Dac, with some nicely misleading surfaces. Across 1 … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,869 by GOZO
This one doesn’t need my usual detailed analysis and so there are few comments (it’s not just laziness on my part 🙂 A good starter for those new to cryptic crosswords but hardly satisfying … Read more >>
Independent 6833 by Virgilius
Another excellent themed puzzle by Virgilius with almost every answer or clue having some reference to birds. Solving time, 21 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 BEEFEATER Refers to the … Read more >>
Financial Times 12868 / Jason
I have been blogging here on FT crossword every Tuesday for the past six months. Usually, as my readers will know, I have been completing or very nearly completing the day’s grid. But … Read more >>
Guardian 24,489 – Orlando
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram A very entertaining puzzle with some challenging … Read more >>
Independent No 6832 by Mordred
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed An excellent puzzle with very smooth surface readings and not too much trickery, although the precise meaning of one or two did escape me. Across 1 Sleep out: Spout about … Read more >>
Guardian, 24488/Rufus
A fun puzzle from Rufus to start the week; there were lots of good “a-ha!” moments for me in this one and excellent surface readings throughout, my favourites being 8d and 28a, I … Read more >>