Independent 6393/Phi
My first blog after a two and a half week break away from crosswords and luckily for me and my sleep-deprived brain, it’s a Phi. I did actually manage to solve a few … Read more >>
Guardian 24,050, Gordius: Am I hotep or notep?
An averagely-hard Friday puzzle, I’d say – took 25 minutes or so of a somewhat stop-start tube journey. A couple I had to guess in the absence of reference works, including 8 Across, which … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 895 by Quixote – Easter
Another pleasing puzzle from Quixote on Easter Sunday, with appropriate references. Solving time: 11 mins ACROSS 9 I M (A GIN) E Quixote = me 11 CAR (PEN) TER Jimmy Carter “gets writer … Read more >>
Guardian 24049/Araucaria
Solving time: approx. 25 mins Araucaria’s outdone himself with this one – bit of a nightmare to solve with the number of clues referring to others, obscure wordplay, plain cheating and general skulduggery. … Read more >>
Independent 6392 by Nimrod – Very tough, some gems
This was very tough indeed, some less than familiar phrases, finally tracked down, with some real gems when all became clear. Solving time: 45 mins * = anagram ACROSS 8 CUTTING BOTH WAYS … Read more >>
Independent 6390 by Virgilius on Wednesday 11 April
Please note that this puzzle, due to a slip-up at the Indy, was the same as the previous day, already reviewed on this site.
Guardian 24,048/Quantum – quick post
Apologies for the tardiness and brevity of this post, but I have been at a full-day seminar in sunny Perth all day, so have not been able to get online until now. When … Read more >>
Guardian 24047/Paul – come to think of it
Solving time: 35’ I stared at this for a long time post-solving convinced there was a theme (after all, the competition in The Independent is Virgilius) but I can’t tease anything to the … Read more >>
Independent 6390 by Virgilius – hidden theme
Another great themed puzzle from Virgilius . 15 gave HIDDEN AGENDAS and every across row had the word AGENDA in order with every across answer contributing something. Solving time: 18 mins * = … Read more >>
Independent 6389 by Glow-worm – Shapely
Themed in line with recent Indy trends. Very pleasing puzzle. Solving time: 20 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 OVAL OFFICE In the White House off-ice (less likely to slip) 10 S HAP … Read more >>
Guardian 24,046/Rufus – another CD collection
When you see that the compiler is Rufus, you know you are in for a glut of cryptic defintions, some more cryptic than others, and today’s puzzle had seven or eight of them, … Read more >>
Everyman 3157/playing favourites
Solving time: 25′ Good puzzle with strong clear wordplay leading unequivocally to the right answer: pleasant diversion over morning tea (even coffee) Across 4 WAG,E SLAVE – leaves* follows WAG for “jocular type”. … Read more >>
Guardian 24,039 (Sat 31 Mar)/Araucaria – And the band played on
Solving time: Resorted to references after 30 mins with five clues left (starred below), and a mistake. Following hot on the heels of Paul’s Beethoven-themed crossword last week comes a homage to Mozart … Read more >>
Guardian 24404/Rover
Not a great puzzle for me. A few good clues, a few obscure words and a few cryptic definitions—one’s my limit. Mind you I did this at the end of a long day … Read more >>
Independent 6387 by Phi: 6:5 Special
A theme to this – referred to after the clue explanations Solving time 6+5 mins i.e. 11 mins ACROSS 10 SCAN(t) 11 GENERATION (one creating)* less c = about “not about” 12 C … Read more >>