Independent 6637/Nimrod – Double Trouble
Some clever grid construction here as one phrase appears twice in the grid and there’s a Nina too (see 5a below for an explanation). I found this quite hard going in places – … Read more >>
Guardian 24293 Brummie : Tree or False
As previous discussed, I’m not a nature-boy, but “False Acacia” seems a tad obscure – oh well, thanks for the Botany lesson, Brummie. Otherwise quite a blood-thirsty set of clues todays with some great wordplay. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 936 by Quixote (20/01/2008)
Some unusual words made this one a little harder for me than some recently from Quixote. Solving time, 21 mins Notes on some clues below, happy to explain others if asked. * = … Read more >>
Financial Times 12,663 by Cincinnus
A moderately easy and thoroughly splendid offering from Cincinnus this week. It is a bit heavy on double-definition clues but there’s nothing wrong with that especially since only one of them is a … Read more >>
Guardian 24292/Paul – The truth hurts: money talks
A classic Paulene challenge though no Araucarian cross-refs nor complex multi-word anagrams. But still some charming and clever clues… as per usual I always feel entertained and gratified having solved Paul. Lots of … Read more >>
Independent crosswords now online
The cryptic puzzle is here and the concise/simple puzzle is here. Each puzzle is currently a day late – so the one on the website right now is yesterday’s Virgilius. Prize puzzles will be published … Read more >>
Independent 6636 by Dac
This had everything you could ask from a daily cryptic from this top setter. Excellent misdirection, great variety, and all with everyday words. Flawless construction. Solving time, 25 mins. * = anagram ACROSS … Read more >>
Independent 6635/Virgilius
A tour de force from Virgilius. Somehow he has managed to get some reference to a topic that continues to increase in importance into every clue, either in the answer or in the … Read more >>
Guardian 24291/Gordius
Quite a lot of general knowledge required to complete this one, although the trickier answers all had friendly wordplay so it can’t be accused of unfairness. Across 1 NICODEMUS (I,consumed)* – Nicodemus was … Read more >>
Private Eye/Cyclops 356 – Beetle or Beatle
Sorry this is late. I should have posted this yesterday but simply forgot. This seemed so small after the Xmas monster. I’m not sure I’ve chosen correctly on 29A. Across 1 COMICS (SO … Read more >>
Azed 1859 (Plain)/ Tricky Stuff
Solving Time: around 75 minutes. A tough challenge from Azed this week with some straight-forward stuff, but one or two really tricky clues that took me a while to work out. Music: Maria Callas giving her … Read more >>
Independent 6634 (Glow-Worm)
A solid puzzle by Glow-Worm, but I didn’t really understand the logic behind either of the 12 clues. Across 1 Curriculum Vitae: Cryptic def (possibly more of a reference to its latin meaning … Read more >>
Guardian 24290/Rufus
Classic Rufus, lots of cryptic defnitions! There were a couple of tough ones in here for me, exposing my lack of knowledge of literature and opera. Across 9 ACTON BELL — ACT ON … Read more >>
Everyman 3198
Across 4 EGGPLANT — E.G. + G + PLAN + (allotmen)T 10 EXCHEQUER — “ex checker” 11 ORIBI — (I BIRO)< — the oribi is one of a number of regular crossword antelopes. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,283 (Sat 12 Jan)/Paul – Up to no good
Solving time: 11:57 Some tricky clues in this, and a bit of a theme based around references to 8ac (GOOD), the main twist of this being at 12ac and 24/13ac in which clues … Read more >>