Independent 6680/Phi
A very nice puzzle with a mini-theme based on 28a. Eminently solvable, even for occasional wine drinkers like myself. Across 9 IN THE SOUP – “noodle” can mean a simpleton or blockhead, someone … Read more >>
Guardian 24336/Araucaria – noblesse oblige
This got postponed throughout all of yesterday as various things intervened. Anyway, a rather noble effort by Araucaria that had me looking up a few aristocratic references. Shirley has clarified things below… Across … Read more >>
Independent 6679 by Punk
An excellent puzzle from this talented setter. Solving time, 37 mins. * = anagram < = reverse ACROSS 1 LEAD-FREE PETROL Got this straightaway – (G)asoline with first letter (lead) off. 8 … Read more >>
Guardian 24335/Brendan
Solving time about 16 minutes either side of a phone call. First thing I thought was “What’s going on there with 9 down?” I got 3 and 25 quite quickly, but wasn’t thinking … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,715 (Sleuth)
Across 1 BECKETT: reference to Samuel Beckett and Thomas Becket 5 ABOARD: A BOARD 6 ADORATION: anagram of A TRIO in A DON 9 BLURB: BLUR + B (book) 11 KABUL: hidden in … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 943 by Quixote (9 Mar 2008)
Solving time, 21 mins. Some clues explained below, happy to explain others if asked. < = reversed ACROSS 1 BA (I) L (l) All refers to cricket – delivery = ball (bowled by … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,705 by Cincinnus
A moderately tough one as Cincinnus puzzles go but, as usual, very satisfying. I found 4A, 25A and 23D challenging. I fail to fully understand 4A and 2D. And I was charmed by … Read more >>
Financial Times / 12714 by Cinephile
18 Identical copies include most of eye, then point to an island people (9) C(EY{-e})LONES E As you know, they are now SRI LANKANS. When a term has changed, should a compiler, while … Read more >>
Independent 6678/Dac
As usual, many lovely clues. Am I safe in saying that there’s no Nina? Or is the fact that there were four double clues, all symmetrically placed, somehow significant? Across 1 ACCLAIMED – … Read more >>
Guardian, 24334 (Puck)
Across 1 HEATER: (t)HEATER 4 SCOWLING: COW in SLING 9 GOYAS: GOY (gentile) + AS 10 CASANOVAS:A NOVA in CASS. Giovanni Jacopo is Casanova but not sure if I have the decode right … Read more >>
Guardian 24333/Paul
Hurredly done Paul. Fairly straightforward for Paul with a just couple of words I had to check and some devilish word play in places Across 9,8,6,22d IF YOU CAN’T BEAT … Read more >>
Independent 6677 – Glow-worm Time of the month?
Solving time: 21 minutes. I really enjoy Glow-worm’s puzzles, both the blocked and his barred puzzles which appear in the Listener , Inquisitor and EV canon. Today’s was no exception with a couple … Read more >>
Financial Times / 12713 by Highlander
An easy puzzle that I finished in less than 30 minutes. The last three were 10ac., 22 ac. and 9dn. Many were solved immediately upon reading the clues, a couple half-way through them. Across … Read more >>
Independent 6676 (Mass): For Whom the Bell Tolls
* = anag, < reversed A neat themed puzzle based on the unusual subject of bell sounds (clued by 16 across using a different interpretation of the meaning). Across 5 Peal: soundalike of … Read more >>
GUARDIAN 24,332 – RUFUS : Toothless
I didn’t have a lot of spare time this morning but this still didn’t fill it. I don’t usually give my solving time – but I managed to complete it during a 15 … Read more >>