Guardian 23941/Brummie
Around 20 minutes. A fairly straightforward puzzle for me with a few long anagrams providing a good start and very fair clues. Across 1 SINGLE FIGURES — This got me for a while … Read more >>
Independent 6283 by Virgilius – Easy theme, some gems
I pencilled BURDEN in over-confidently for 8 Across. This delayed me. Solved in just under 20 mins, a bit slower than usual for Virgilius, where a theme usually becomes clear to help the … Read more >>
Independent 6282/Phi – It only feels like yesterday…
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a compiler appear so soon after their previous appearance (we saw Phi just last Friday). Not that I’m complaining. I’ll add my name to list of Phi’s … Read more >>
Guardian 23940/Rufus – it ALL came together
Solving time: 20’ I stared at this puzzle for a few minutes, scanning clues, until one of the long ones clicked: ALL OVER THE PLACE. From that point on things went rather more … Read more >>
Azed 1800 “Sly Oaf” – excellent thematic crossword
Solving time 1:03:33. A rare thematic puzzle from Azed this week to mark puzzle no. 1800. There’s an extra letter in every clue which has to be removed before solving. These letters in … Read more >>
Everyman 3139 – wasn’t paying attention
I wasn’t paying attention and that’s what I filled in at 11A instead of ATTENTIVE which made the NE corner a spot of bother. Nice puzzle with good balance of clue types. If … Read more >>
Guardian 23933/Araucaria
Typically Araucarian puzzle with a theme of coloured butterflys. There was a nice bit of deception in the note above the puzzle which said that the four undefined clues “were connected with a … Read more >>
Independent 6275/Monk – Lacking headgear
This puzzle was deliberately scheduled to appear on the 25th and it became apparent why as the grid was filled in. Unchecked letters at the top and bottom and left and right read … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 876 by Quixote – Longer at the last two clues than all the others
All but two solved in 11 mins, 14 mins for those two making 25 mins in all. 7 across and 2 down which intersected – covered in notes below. As always with Quixote, all … Read more >>
Independent 6280 by Phi Easy, but top quality as always
This has all I’ve learnt to expect from a Phi puzzle. Perfectly worded clues, credible surface readings, variety, and a satisfied solver at the end. I solved it in 15 mins. * = … Read more >>
Guardian 23,938/Arachne – Caught in a web
A mixed bag. I found half the clues came very quickly, but there was a stubborn hard core, one of which eluded me to the end (but see comments for solution). Eight proper … Read more >>
Independent 6279/Nestor – what a challenge!
This was hard by Indy daily standards – and there’s one I don’t understand and fear I missed – any guidance welcomed! Solving time (if I’ve got it!) 60 mins (way longer than … Read more >>
Today’s Independent puzzle by Nestor
Apologies for the delay – a review of today’s debut by Nestor will appear shortly.
Guardian 23937/Pasquale – pretty tough for a weekday puzzle
Solving time – 45 minutes. I feel sorry for anyone trying to do this on the train – after struggling in vain for 20 minutes to get half of it I resorted to … Read more >>
Guardian 23936/Gordius – Whose teeth are gnashing?
[This is actually courtesy of loonapick who due to technical difficulties asked me to post… so please direct all compliments to him and complaints to me about the formatting] Gordius is a regular … Read more >>