Independent 6718 by Scorpion
*=anag, []=dropped, <=rev. Very tough puzzle by Scorpion, I thought. There were three I didn’t fully understand. Across 7 Mincer: cryptic definition. 8 Heighten: he + (the gin)* 9 Leo Minor: Odd letters … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,754 / by Jason
After thirty minutes with the puzzle, I didn’t get 21ac and 24ac and 16dn. Any of my readers may please post the answers. Across 1 DESCRIBE – des, crib, E 5 HECTIC – … Read more >>
The blog, yesterday.
Apologies for the problems you all experienced yesterday in trying to reach the blog – it was out of action for pretty much for the whole day. Unfortunately the problem was at the … Read more >>
Guardian 24374 / Auster Holding things together
Solving time: 12 minutes Pleasant thematic start to the week, reminiscent of Altair’s puzzles, for those of an age. A nice puzzle for those wanting to find their way into cryptics and themed … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 363 – Taboo
Last time I wondered if C had gone a step too far with his capitalisation. This time I wonder if he has gone a C too far. Across 9 PITCH INTO PITCH (NIT)* … Read more >>
Azed blogging vacancy
If you would like to write an Azed report about once a month, there’s a space going – one of our current bloggers wants to drop out. If you’d like to have a … Read more >>
Azed 1873
Solving time: not recorded I can’t remember how long this took or how much I used Chambers. But I made a wrong guess at the first letter of 17D, which suggests that the … Read more >>
Inquisitor 68 – A Very Big Mistake by Kruger
For a blog of the puzzle see Duncan’s comment below. Many thanks Duncan.
Guardian 24,367 (Sat 19 Apr)/Araucaria – Doodah doodah day
Solving time: 11:58 The clueing in this puzzle was more ‘down the line’ than normal for Araucaria, I thought. Nothing too obscure either, although a couple where the wordplay helped me out. 3dn … Read more >>
Independent 6716 by Phi
As usual, an excellent puzzle from the ever-reliable Phi. Solving time, 21 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 1 (PIPPED) (AT THE POST) Tempted at first by the 15 letters after … Read more >>
Independent 6711/Monk
Great pangrammatic puzzle from the Bulletprooof one. Not sure about 2 and 3 though. I think they’re both right but I can’t say why. Across 1 H in WORKSOP – I think the … Read more >>
Guardian 24,372, Quantum: Quality Control
Hmm, well as today’s fifteensquared quality controller I have a few negative items to feedback here (OK, that’s enough of that – internal ed). Too many rather straightforward cryptic defs for my liking. Sorry if I seem … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 949 by Quixote (20 Apr 2008)
I found this exceptionally easy – Solving time, 10 mins * = anagram ACROSS 7 CHARGE Double definition 8 G U I DANCE 9 HOUSEMAID’S KNEE Good cryptic definition 10 M1 D O … Read more >>
Independent 6715/Eimi – Earning my Spurs
– Blog Number 1 from me, so first things first, hello! A puzzle of two halves for me. The bottom half went in fairly easily, but I came a bit unstuck on the … Read more >>
Guardian 24,371 (Araucaria)
Across 1 COPPER: double definition 4 CLEMATIS: M in CLEAT IS. Clematis Vitalba is a wild flower, also known as Old Man’s Beard 9 NORMA: hidden in londoN OR MAnchester. It’s a 19th … Read more >>