Independent 6405/Nimrod
This one was unusually tough for me, though perhaps that’s to be expected on a Friday and from Nimrod. I felt a little short-changed at only having 22 clues, though at least that … Read more >>
Inquisitor #16/Post Lottery by Loda
Solvers’ hint #1: Check the date before tackling a crossword – sometimes it makes the theme blindingly obvious very quickly.Bloggers’ hint #1: If you take your crossword folder on a plane, complete with … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 897 by Quixote
Some seamless joins between definition and wordplay which misled at first. Solving time: 22 mins * = anagram ACROSS 6 PE DAN TIC 9 WI NONA West Indies and anon = soon reversed. … Read more >>
Independent 6404 by Bannsider
I have less time on a Thursday for crosswords and blogging than on other weekdays and I was mildly concerned to see Bannsider’s name at the top today as I’ve found him among … Read more >>
Guardian 24061/Araucaria – Seasonal games
Solving time: 30’ Whew! I almost got blown away by this one. I’m going to say it again: I don’t see how this can be solved on the tube. I realize, having said … Read more >>
Independent 6403 by Dac
The usual top quality puzzle from this Indy setter with a weekly slot. Solving time: 15 mins ACROSS 1 DO YOU MIND Brilliant stuff 13 MA NANA Refers to 22 = Granada i.e. … Read more >>
Guardian 24060/Brummie — a bit of fun.
Several clues used 12 as the definition in a couple of different ways. I got three card games before I got GAME itself and assumed I was looking for card games, thus PARTRIDGE … Read more >>
Guardian 24,059, Gordius: All bar two
Took me about 20 minutes, except for the last two clues, which I feel could take another week. Offers welcomed for 13 across and 22 down. What with these, and several dictionary words … Read more >>
Independent 6402/Virgilius – A to Z…
I found this very easy – one of my rare sub-10 minute solves I think – but that’s not really the point as there’s a very clever piece of grid wizardry going on … Read more >>
Guardian 24058/Brendan – reading between the (phone) lines
Solving time about 10-12 minutes altogether in 3 short sessions. I was trying to look at it while on a conference call at work, but somebody asked me a question and I didn’t … Read more >>
New page
We’ve just added a page giving brief details about the setters – Independent only at present, but happy to add the Guardian if someone can chip in with accurate information. Like other ‘general … Read more >>
Independent 6401 by Eimi – Lots of names
Lots of references in this, but I found it fairly straightforward, with no major problems. Enjoyable puzzle. (Thanks, Peter, for pointing out below that some of the names are the real names of … Read more >>
Azed 1820 – tough for me
Solving time: 64 mins, with Chambers Not sure why this one was substantially harder than the previous week. The problems I remember a week later are finding the beer in 1A, and my … Read more >>
Everyman 3159/Irish cricket?
Solving time: 45’ I actually fell asleep solving this – not because the puzzle was boring, simply due to jet-lag (or as my aunt would say, let-jag). Probably unintended but a couple of … Read more >>
Independent 6394/Nestor
Another corker from Nestor, with lots of clever and original stuff going on. Across 5 G,LIT,ZY 11 (st)AR,GUE(st) – very nice surface reading for this one. 12 (TO A DUNCE)* – the first … Read more >>