Independent 6828/Dac
As usual an apparently perfect crossword from Dac — nothing remotely controversial, strong anagrams, sound clues with good surfaces. How he does it week after week I just don’t know. Across 1 RUMP … Read more >>
Financial Times, 12,863, Set by Cinephile, Sep 03, 2008
Another treat from the Reverend – I see he is on duty at the Guardian today too in his other persona. I thought at first that I was looking for numbers, having got … Read more >>
Guardian 24,484 – Araucaria
As is often with Araucaria, something of a challenge but satisfying to solve. I guessed the long linked clue starting at 7D fairly early from the pattern of ‘inherit’ which gave a lot … Read more >>
Guardian 24,483/Gordius
It’s my first day back in the office after a week-and-a-bit’s holiday, so a large backlog of emails has somewhat delayed my blogging. A lot of obscure words and references, combined with some … Read more >>
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 >>