Inquisitor 39 – a plea for help
I’m stuck on this with little time left before going to Cheltenham. I’ve solved all but three of the normal clues but have no idea about the theme. If you’ve solved it, leave … Read more >>
Independent 6542 by Nimrod
Built around a 41-letter anagram. Solving time: 52 mins. * = anagram < = reversed ACROSS 9 HISTORIAN (to an Irish)* 11/13/16 CANT GET AWAY TO MARRY YOU TODAY MY WIFE WONT LET … Read more >>
Guardian 24199/Orlando – four Ms.
A good puzzle with consistently high quality defs and wordplay (the latter providing clear direction to answers in some cases even when the def was unknown to me). Incidentally had I not known … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 920 by Quixote
Fairly easy puzzle, I found. Solving time: 15 mins Will post on a limited number of what seemed the trickier clues, but happy to explain any others if asked. * = anagram ACROSS … Read more >>
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 >>