FT 12,507 by Satori
A broad palette of cryptic devices at play in this puzzle, with some (e.g 14,24,25) depending as much on lateral thinking as orthodox solving mechanisms. I did think that 21 was a little … Read more >>
All about you
One of the advantages of moving the blog to its own domain is that I’m able to get much more information about who’s reading us. It’s amazing the stuff you can find out: … Read more >>
Independent 6469/Dac
Across 1 IT in A,GATES – I wasted some time thinking that “a software giant” was A,MS (Microsoft) rather than A,(Bill) GATES. 9 ISLA – “I’ll”,A 12/13 ITCHY AND SCRATCHY – I’d like … Read more >>
Guardian 24125/Gordius
Sorry for the delay – I had a veterinary emergency when I came home from work today. The cat had managed to develop an arterial thromboembolism (some sort of blood clot in the … Read more >>
Independent 6468/Virgilius
I always enjoy crosswords from Virgilius and this was no exception. I can’t see a theme which is unusual for Virgilius but maybe I haven’t looked long enough! Across 1 GREATA GARBO – (RAGE … Read more >>
Independent 6467 by Mordred
An enjoyable and rather unusual crossword in that I solved it quite fast from definitions and seeing what fit rather than immediately understanding all the clues. Do not understand 4 down though. (Thanks, … Read more >>
Guardian 24,124, Rufus: Crossing the rubicon
Rufus at his best. Took about 15 minutes, with fewer cryptic definitions than usual, but his skill in that department evident in the ordinary definitions – well concealed, with a high proportion using … Read more >>
Guardian 24117/Araucaria (Sat Jun 30) – flighty
Avian theme. 14D (CHAFFINCH) was my way in. I solved this twice. The second time took as long virtually as the first since I’d forgotten most of the birds already. Across 1 PART,RIDGE … Read more >>
Independent 6465 / Phi Mr Dependable
Solving time: 20 minutes Another enjoyable puzzle from the Mr Dependable of the crossword world. Plenty of terrific clues to keep the mind taxed with 11 across a particular favourite, along with 5 … Read more >>
Financial Times 12493 by DANTE
Across 1. CHEESE – Cryptic def. 4. REASON – (Sane or)* 8. A,C,COUNT(=tell) 9. PFENNIG – 100 pfennigs to an old German mark 11. ASPIRATION – (a pianist or)* 12. LEES – “leas” … Read more >>
FT 12,503 by Monk
A typically enjoyable and thought-provoking number from Monk. I didn’t spot a trademark Nina, but I suppose that the four (4,5,4) answers that transect the grid symmetrically are, in themselves, a thematic touch. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,122, Araucaria: Boy oh boy!
This was without doubt the hardest crossword I’ve had to blog, and almost defeated me. It took about 45 minutes, and I resorted to online aids for a couple of the final clues – I … Read more >>
Inquisitor 26/Nitsy – Game of Chance
As far as Inquisitors go, this puzzle by a compiler I have never come across before was relatively easy. Many of the clues were of a standard that would not be out of … Read more >>
Independent 6460 (30-06-07)/Nimrod – Not cobblers!
Quite often, when I’m solving a puzzle that I’ll be blogging later on, I fill in answers which I’m reasonably sure are right and then think, “I’ll work out the wordplay when I … Read more >>
FT Puzzle 12502 by Flimsy
Solving time: 11 minutes Apologies for the late posting but those nice folks on the FT website didn’t put today’s (or yesterday’s) puzzles up until late tonight. A very easy puzzle with too … Read more >>