Financial Times 12,582 by Cincinnus
This was for me a bit more difficult than the average Cincinnus but just as impressive. There were two clues I did not completely understand (10A and 19D). Across 1. BOOTBLACK – BOOT … Read more >>
Guardian 24,210, Paul: Flabby bustards
Across: 1. F(L)AB BY. Liver’s heading is L, and times is BY, (as in 15 by 15) which took me a moment to spot. 4. MUSCAT. I feel conviced there are half a dozen other possible … Read more >>
FT 12591/Cinephile – Wed 17.10.07
Solving time : About three-quarters of an hour, but meaningless anyway since I got 12A wrong, as I discovered later when trying to justify LIRE. The theme is Evelyn Waugh’s magnificent novel Scoop. … Read more >>
Independent 6553/Dac – Cheeky
This was a “solved-before-the-bus-came-along” puzzle for me so much of the wordplay went by in a bit of a blur, although I knew I would get the opportunity to look at it all … Read more >>
Guardian 24209/Gordius
Solving time – approx. 35 mins. I managed to find some time at lunchtime to have a look at this, and was pleased to finish it without resorting to a dictionary (with three … Read more >>
Independent 6552 by Virgilius
Themed as almost always from Virgilius: this time fairly clear when looking at clues: 4 (6,3,6) phrases, connected by “and”. Very fast solve for me, 11 mins. * = anagram ACROSS 1 SENATORSHIP … Read more >>
Guardian No 24,208 – Rufus/That’s better…
Didn’t realise it was my turn to do the Grauniad; my apologies for the late post. A nice easy start to the week. I am normally one of Rufus’s harshest critics, but this … Read more >>
Guardian 24,201 (Sat 6 Oct)/Araucaria – Blind man’s pluff
Solving time: 17:17, one mistake (4dn/P) The clues for this puzzle were presented in order of their first letters (specified), with each letter used once (and D and J twice). Probably quite a … Read more >>
Inquisitor 40 – New Broom by Dimitry
Sorry for the late post, but I have to admit that I really struggled with this one, and I haven’t quite finished it, as one of the answers still has me beat. Once … Read more >>
Independent 6551 by Hypnos
This puzzle by one of the occasional setters was a very fast solve for me. Got quite a few answers by seeing definitions. Solving time: 13 mins. * = anagram < = reversed … Read more >>
Azed 1845: Quipsters and quacks
As Azeds go, this was fairly straightforward to solve, and it had the usual quota of delightfully witty clues and elegant surface reading. I wasn’t too sure of all the wordplay, though; perhaps … Read more >>
Independent 6549/Phi
Excellent stuff from Phi. I’m lost on the last one across though. Across 1/10 THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE — double def. — the cryptic definition of the two refers to … Read more >>
Guardian 24,206 – Brendan/Ambiguity
A clever themed crossword which shows the ambiguity of the English language. Most of the across clues and some of the down clues lead to words which have two conflicting definitions. Time taken: … Read more >>
Independent 6544/Nestor
One of the easier puzzles from this usually tough compiler. I filled in a surprising number of answers using definitions and/or checking letters so it was the only when I came to write … Read more >>
Guardian 24205/Gordius – evasive setter
Not for the first time a couple of clues for which I don’t understand the wordplay: e.g 26A, 4A, and a few others in which I can imagine what the answer must be. … Read more >>