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 >>
Guardian 24,051 (Sat 14 Apr)/Enigmatist – Blue is the colour
Solving time: 22:12 I made heavy weather of this, especially the key long answer (16ac) and the top left corner, and I can’t explain 4dn. No main theme that I could spot, but … Read more >>
Independent 6399 by Phi
The usual flawless puzzle from Phi Solving time: 12 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 S TRIPPER Excellent use of 2 meanings of “peel” 6 FO UR of “backing” RU Rugby Union = … Read more >>
Guardian 24056/Taupi
Solving time: 33:07 I found this tough going, and in the end had to resort to the dictionary to finish it as there were a couple of words I’d never heard of. Also … Read more >>
Inquisitor 15 – Space by Schadenfreude
Solving time: 43 minutes – and should have been faster One of those puzzles where the setting achievement seems considerably greater than the solving one. The unclued entries that must be “expanded to … Read more >>
Independent 6398 / Scorpion – Tough fare
Solving time: Most of the day! I was having to dip in and out of this between hospital appointments today and I found this experience very tough going. Like my Co-blogger today, there … Read more >>
Guardian No 24,055/Chifonie – hmmm…?
I have to admit that Chifonie is not by favourite setter, and in my opinion, this puzzle has too many loose definitions/wordplay, and at least one clue I can’t parse (see below). Sorry … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 896 by Quixote
The usual satisfying fare. Solving time: 15 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 PLAYED OUT “Play” “doubt” “said” 9 R (E) ICH STAG e is the most common letter in English so abbreviations … Read more >>
Independent 6397 by Dac – Top quality
Another excellent puzzle by Dac and they don’t have to be hard to be good. Solving time: 11 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 S TRUCK 4 BIG BUCKS 15 ARIA Alternate letters … Read more >>
Guardian 24054/Araucaria – diverting history
Solving time: 42’ Well, if you know your William Cowper, you’ll have no problem with this puzzle. I don’t. Had to go off and read “The Diverting History of John Gilpin” to make … Read more >>
Independent 6396/Virgilius
I always enjoy Virgilius puzzles. This was no exception, lots to enjoy and very rarely anything dissatisfying in any way. No theme or nina as far as I can tell although 1A and … Read more >>
Guardian 24053 / Pasquale – All-round Good Fun!
Solving Time: 20 mins (although aone explanation baffles me) Gosh, it seems such a long time that I’ve been here, after stays in and out of hospital. I was dreading getting a real … Read more >>
Guardian 24,052, Rufus: Looking after crossword site’s cool
Reasonably easy Monday morning fare. At a rough count, one third cryptic definitions, generally pretty straightforward but several pithy and apposite enough to be quite satisfying even if they don’t take a lot … Read more >>
Independent 6395/Math
Across 1 MP in TRUED UP 9 ACK(nowledge) in BLOG – nice to see words like BLOG appearing in crosswords but, if you know the word, “online journal” is something of a giveaway. … Read more >>