Independent 6827/Radian
I found this mostly reasonably easy but with a few tough spots here and there. I only spotted the Nina (in the perimeter running clockwise from the bottom left-hand corner) once I’d finished … Read more >>
Financial Times / 12862 by Armonie
Late blog because of late uploading of puzzle. Some clues may have familiar wordplay but the puzzle on the whole is enjoyable. Across 1 BETRAY – bet, ray – to ‘betray’ is not … Read more >>
Independent 6826 by Math
*=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed A varied puzzle with some interesting clues, including one or two I didn’t fully understand. Across 7 Goal: I think this is gal around o, indicating hungry in an extremely … Read more >>
Guardian 24,482 – Rufus
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram As usual, Rufus showed his forte, the … Read more >>
Is free Guardian crossword up?
I was looking forward to the Guardian’s free crossword this morning (Sept. 1) but even past noon IST it has not appeared. I have been a registered user of the website (though not … Read more >>
Guardian Genius No 62: a problem in dialectics
Although I’ve been a subscriber to the Guardian crossword website for some years now, this is the first time that I’ve attempted a Genius crossword. Having managed to complete this one without too … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 372 – Entertaining
An entertaining puzzle in more than one sense – I enjoyed it – and there are clues using “entertained by” as “container and contents” indicator more than once, but I only point this out … Read more >>
Azed 1891 – Plain
In Azed’s crosswords there is always an enormous amount of Chambers-checking meanings of words. If this blog were to contain all the unusual definitions it would be three times as long. I’ll assume … Read more >>
Guardian 24,475 (Bank Holiday special, Sat 23 Aug)/Araucaria – Bird’s Nest
Solving time: 75 mins, four wrong before using a dictionary (43ac, Q, X and Y). I always seem to enjoy Araucaria’s Bank Holiday specials and this was no exception, so Araucaria fans will … Read more >>
Independent 6824 by Phi
Typical Phi crossword in which everything stacks up. Solving time, 16 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 LES (MISERABLE) S By Victor Hugo 8 COD A Musical term for end … Read more >>
Guardian 24,480 – Rover
dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram For once, I did not enjoy a … Read more >>
Financial Times, 12,859 Set by Falcon. August 29,2008
At first glance rather daunting with so many literary allusions. However, the word play was very simple in most cases, and kind Google came to my aid with details. Alan seemed to be … Read more >>
Independent 6819/Bannsider (23-08-08)
Another superb puzzle from Bannsider with some very original and rigourous clueing. Very tough too, but always a pleasure to solve. Across 1 (PRAYER THAT)* – ART THERAPY. Great clue with an excellent … Read more >>
Inquisitor 86 – Unfinished Business by Loda
I am not at all sure that I have got this puzzle right, as my solution to the final step does not seem to meet all the criteria that I would expect it … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 12,858 by MONK
A crossword from Monk is always a challenge and this was no exception. One or two clues did appear to be recycled, however this was offset by some fine, and sometimes misleading, cluing elsewhere. … Read more >>