Puzzles 54 – 105
Inquisitor 52/Noel by Schadenfreude
This looked like it was going to be a tough puzzle but the theme dropped out quickly and helped me to fill in most of the answers. Initially I considered that Noel might … Read more >>
Independent 6620/Phi
The usual pleasant offering from Phi, but one or two I can’t quite understand. Across 1 J UMP(ire). Expressing in the sense of throwing out. 3 DESPOTIC I’m pretty sure. Oppressive = despotic … Read more >>
Independent 6615/Eimi – “Bank Holiday Special”(!)
This was the puzzle that almost never was. Due to be published on the 29th of December, it was nowhere to be found in the newspaper, much to the frustration of a number … Read more >>
Independent 6619/Mordred
This was terrible puzzle for me. The answers I have blogged are they only ones I have managed to get before deciding to submit the blog. Discussion of the missing answers will be … Read more >>
Guardian 24275/Rover
Solving time 8:12 I haven’t done a Rover puzzle for a long time, so I looked on the Setters page here to see what I’d be in for, and he’s described as “Hard”. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 933 by Quixote
The usual pleasing fare from Quixote in the final IoS puzzle of the year. I found it fairly easy, solving time, 15 mins. Notes on some clues below, happy to explain others if … Read more >>
Christmas Crossword by Cinephile
This whopper proved rather easy. That is often true of Cinephile’s themed puzzles but is especially so of this one because, once one has spotted the theme, one knows not simply what kind … Read more >>
Independent 6618/Merlin
Across 1 (DID GO FOR)*,AY – an &lit and a reference to the GOOD FRIDAY Agreement but I see no anagram indicator… 6 [-n]OTIC[-e] 9 WARS,A,W,P,ACT – another &lit, and a good one … Read more >>
Guardian 24274/Paul – fish or fowl?
Neither fish nor fowl — can’t tell if there’s really a theme here or not: do fish and chips and grouse and chickens and pecking qualify? A couple of wordplays that I’m still … Read more >>
Independent 6617/Virgilius
It’s New Year’s day, and it’s Virgilius. That means that his crossword must contain some wonderful Nina, especially as the grid is a bit odd. But I can’t see it. (Note from Neildubya: … Read more >>
Independent – Review of 2007
Another very interesting year at the Indy as the new editor, Eimi, who took over early in 2006, puts his mark on the paper. The main features are a continued move towards themed … Read more >>
Independent 6616 by Nimrod
Very tough puzzle to finish the year. There is a theme, which I’ll give after the clue explanations in case anyone wants to have another look at the grid. I found it after … Read more >>
Guardian 24,272 : Enigmatist – “In with the New”
Monday is usually the day the crossword editor sends down a “loosener”, such as the recent series of pleasing, humane Rufus puzzles. This isn’t a usual mundane Monday, so he’s let loose the mighty … Read more >>
Independent’s missing cryptic of Sat 29 12 2007
There are comments on this following the blog of Dac 6614 (Fri 28 12 2007)