Never knowingly undersolved
Solving time: say 2 hours in a couple of sessions It’s intriguing to see the successor of Torquemada and Ximenes dedicating a puzzle to Araucaria, who some strict Ximeneans might want (metaphorically of … Read more >>
Solving Time: 26 minutes Lots of F’s around in today’s Phi puzzle (including four block shapes in the corners of the grid). The usual mix of cryptic defs and good sound clue construction … Read more >>
I think I made very heavy weather of this as, looking back at the answers now, there’s not too much there that should have given me problems; the notable exceptions being 12A and … Read more >>
It could be the toothache – I might have been more charitable if I’d waited for the co-codamol to take effect – but I found myself being rather picky today. There are some nice touches here, … Read more >>
Solving time : well over an hour. Lots of difficult clues, as one would expect with Scorpion, but some lovely ones and most of them could eventually be explained. I think. Across 1 … Read more >>
I was already in Brummie mode when I completed this, having just finished this week’s Cyclops. An entertaining puzzle, with the usual witty touch we’d expect from this setter. Across 1, 25 CONSPICUOUS … Read more >>
A pleasing offering from Quixote – will comment on a small number of what I found the trickier or best clues, but happy to explain others if asked. Solving time: 21 mins * … Read more >>
A solid and satisfying puzzle from Mudd this week. Across 7. ELEVATOR – anagram of TO REVEAL 8. INFORM – double definition 11. ON TAP – NT (books) in OAP (pensioner) 12. EDUCATION … Read more >>
Solving time approx 16 mins. I spotted 10 winners of the Nobel Peace Prize – I think that’s all there are in it. And of course 8dn gives a strong hint to the … Read more >>
An excellent puzzle from Dac, one of the top setters. Solving time: 21 mins * = anagram ACROSS 8 GNAR (L) ED This has to be right, I think, esp with the L … Read more >>
Cryptic crossword setters often borrow terminology from the world of 2D so a bridge-themed puzzle seems very appropriate. This cleverly constructed grid contains NORTH SOUTH EAST WEST in the places you would expect … Read more >>
In my opinion, a mixture of brilliant clues (5, 10, 20) and some of the things I don’t like so much in puzzles (14, 24) and a couple of clues where I’m not … Read more >>
A typical balanced Rufus opus with sensible surfaces and no cryptic definition overdose. And pleasantly not a rugby reference in sight. My last clue was 24A since my only exposure to opera so … Read more >>
Across 6 EVA< in STS – “Mrs Peron” made this a very easy clue but “bars” was an ambiguous definition in the phrase “street’s bars”. 9 REC,(PIE)* 10 U,N in NEARED 11 IF … Read more >>
This issue brought us the usual fare in the style we come to expect from our optically-challenged friend. Across 7 NEIGHBOURS – (IGNORE BUSH)* I liked “soft” as the anagrind 8 GSOH – … Read more >>