Guardian 24,421 (Sat 21 Jun)/Paul – Knap hand
Solving time: 15:55 Don’t take too much notice of my time – I was at least three-quarters asleep when solving this. Reasonably straightforward for Paul, I think. I’m going to be unable to … Read more >>
Independent 6770 by Phi
Each of the Indy setters has their own distinctive talent – with Phi it’s immaculately constructed clues that I always find I can understand. This was a typical example, where I was able … Read more >>
Guardian 24426/Arachne – TGIF
Some tough stuff here that had me using Chambers (not something I like to do on a Friday morning getting ready for work but I tend to have a bit more time). Bit … Read more >>
Inquisitor 77 ONE TOO MANY by Raich
Easy to solve the grid (with some rather underwhelming clues), much harder to find the phrase made up of the extra letters. The phrase was almost irrelevant in terms of completing and sending … Read more >>
FT 12,804/Orense – Twin Shocks
In the interests of timely publication, I’ve kept annotations to a minimum today. Nothing too untoward here, although the repeated use of “shock”=hair seems a touch gratuitous, and a couple of the single … Read more >>
Independent 6769/Nimrod
My goodness me. What a mountain to climb. Well, at least I’ve filled everything in, but one or two I don’t quite understand; when they are explained no doubt I’ll be full of … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 958 by Quixote (22 June 2008)
Fairly straightforward puzzle, I thought – solving time, 16 mins * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 5 LIBE (RA) L 7 RO UGH OR< 9 M (INNESOT) AN (tension)* 10 GO (S) … Read more >>
Guardian 24,425 (Shed)
Apologies for a rather brief blog today. Across 1 DEVILS ADVOCATE: DEVIATE around anagram of CALVADOS (without an ‘A’) 9 UKRAINIAN: UK RAIN + IAN 10 PROMO: PRO + MO 13 DIASTOLE: AID … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,794 by Falcon
So, I am getting to know Falcon now. This was a little more difficult than the few of his I have done before. Clue 5A in particular took me a while. Across 1. … Read more >>
Azed 1881
I offered to do this blog, then discovered that I had thrown out my copy of the solution, which doesn’t yet appear to be available on the Guardian/Observer website, so I had to … Read more >>
Independent 6,768/Dac
Definitely harder than the average Dac I thought, with some lesser known words here and there. Good clues as ever though. Across 1 SCANDALISE – SCAN,DALIS,E[-xhibition] 7 CAWS – “Cause” – Caws being … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,803 – Cinephile
Common abbreviations used dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade * = anagram I really hope we can get the FT … Read more >>
Guardian 24,424 – Audreus
Common abbreviations used dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade * = anagram Lovely puzzle that has some misleading definitions and … Read more >>
Independent 6767/Virgilius
Great puzzle as usual from Virgilius but if there’s something going on here connected with 1/29 then it’s passed me by completely. Across 1/29 (I REPUBLIC SIMPLETON)* – SUBLIMINAL PERCEPTION. Haven’t the faintest … Read more >>
Guardian 24,423 – Gordius
Common abbreviations used dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade * = anagram A delightful puzzle both entertaining and challenging Across … Read more >>