Financial Times 12,570 by Cincinnus
Across 1. VERBATIM – anagram (terribly) of BRAVE + TIM (little chap) 6. CUCKOO – double definition 9. SPRUCE – double definition 10. NO LONGER – anagram of GO ON LNER. LNER was … Read more >>
FT 12,579/Dogberry
Well, I’m glad I voluntarily rescheduled my blogging duties from Tues to Wed – as this puzzle was a real humdinger. I think I only solved one clue on immediate inspection, but none … Read more >>
Guardian 24,198/Brendan – ABBA Father
Solving time: 4:27 Another cracking construction from Brendan, with the rotationally symmetric across clues forming pairs where the first is of the form AB and the second BA, e.g. SIDE ROAD/ROADSIDE and SAUNAS/NASSAU. … Read more >>
Independent 6541 by Dac
An excellent offering from Dac. Solving time: 18 mins. < = reversed * = anagram ACROSS 1 PLAY BALL “Cooperate to amalgamate drama and dance” My favourite clue. 5 TI (ES … Read more >>
Independent 6540\Virgilius
Virgilius’s theme today was just a little obvious, a mirror-symmetric grid with greyed-out rugby goal posts in the middle. Yes, it’s the Badminton Horse Trials…no, of course not, it’s the Rugby World Cup … Read more >>
Guardian 24197 / Paul – Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink…
Solving time: 24 minutes I sometimes imagine Paul, in his spare time, at the end of Southend Pier, playing his banjo and telling rude jokes to the assembled punters in a straw boater … Read more >>
Independent 6539 by Tees
I found this one very easy indeed, as attested by the solving time. Solving time: 10 mins * = anagram < = reversal ACROSS 1 C(H)ANCER crab = sign of the Zodiac 9 … Read more >>
Guardian 24,196/Rufus – Typical Monday fare
The usual mix from Rufus today – some excellent, some not quite so good. Solving time – a little under 8 minutes ACROSS 1 MA(CAB)RE 5 STOKER – shame the setter didn’t find a way … Read more >>
Azed 1843
A possibly error-free Azed! The usual mix of obscure words in both the grid and word play, some unusual devices and some great surfaces added up to a typically enjoyable Azed plain puzzle. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,189 (Sat 22 Sep)/Araucaria – Mirror, mirror
Solving time: 15:23 Not for the first time, a puzzle based on the works of Lewis Carroll, specifically Through the Looking-Glass (TTLG) and its chess ‘match’ between the White and Red pieces. About … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 51/Doc — EMPLOY
The theme required solutions to be adapted before entry but said nothing of the clues. Noticing that the answer lengths were one or two less than the grid lengths this suggested some addition … Read more >>
FT 12,575/Adamant – “Somewhat” Inappropriate?
The only real stumbling block today for me was 18A, which took me several minutes of plodding through the alphabet until I could find an answer that justified the clue. 10A doesn’t work, in … Read more >>
Beelzebub 918/Phi (16-09-07)
I found this very easy – no Chambers or Bradford needed. There were some difficult words in the puzzle (31A,19D) but I was helped on these by checking letters and the straightforward clueing. … Read more >>
Independent 6537 by Bannsider
I know with Bannsider that it will be tough and it was. Got there in the end – one or two that I cannot fully see the wordplay. Some very good clues as … Read more >>
Independent 6532/Monk
A something-for-everyone puzzle from Monk. A few easy clues to get you going, some hard ones to stretch you, a bit of innovation here and there and some good old-fashioned smut. Not forgetting … Read more >>