Everyman 3144/Dec 31 – Rechabite and fescue
Lots of black in this grid, but nonetheless a fair puzzle (good percentage of checked letters) and 28 clues with a couple of words that had me scouring Chambers (though hardly as much … Read more >>
Guardian 23961/Enigmatist – quite h-h-hard.
I managed to finish this but there are a number of answers that I still don’t fully understand. We usually only see this type of grid/theme combo from Brendan so it’s good to … Read more >>
Guardian 23,966, Logodaedalus: Weak ending
A simple and somewhat uninspiring puzzle, unusually for a Friday. 14’s mildly misleading use of ‘suit’ stood out as most of the other clues were totally straightforward in definition and structure. Took me … Read more >>
Independent 6288/Phi – ???
Solving time: 9:52 I don’t think this was one of Phi’s more inspired offerings; unless there is a theme I have missed, I suspect the construction started with the interlinking 11ac, 7dn and … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 881 by Quixote – some novelties
Another good puzzle from Quixote including some treatments that were novelties for me. A little harder than his average. Solving time: 28 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 S (second) + KATE in … Read more >>
Guardian 23965/ Paul L’Enfant Terrible
Posted as the scheduled blog did not appear! 30 minutes (with one error!) From Paul’s very first appearance, it became clear that he possessed an amazing talent to provide the most wonderful puzzles … Read more >>
Guardian 23,965/Paul – I’ve started so I’ll finish…
It’s 4am and yesterday’s Guardian hasn’t been blogged yet, so as I have ‘flu and can’t sleep I thought I’d fill the breach. Please excuse any mistakes. Easier than usual for Paul, I … Read more >>
Independent 6304 / Nimrod – Only 7 As
Solving time 8:48 As soon as you see the 8-block black lumps in the NE and SW corners you know something’s up, and the huge gap at the bottom of the across clues … Read more >>
Independent 6308/Mass New Year’s Brunch
Solving time 25 minutes I have really enjoyed the Indy daily puzzles recently and I know that a number of crossword chums have also done so, so I feel a bit odd about … Read more >>
Independent 6307/Dac
When I began this puzzle I expected a fairly easy ride as usual with Dac. In the end this puzzle took me way too long mainly due to the time spent looking at … Read more >>
Guardian 23,964/Araucaria – Monkeys and ponies?
Araucaria, love him or loathe him, rarely fails to produce an enjoyable puzzle to solve and you always learn something new to boot. This is typical fare – there aren’t many examples that … Read more >>
Guardian 23963/Orlando — Let’s Dance
I did most of this puzzle within my 30 minute bus journey (the schools aren’t back yet!) However, I failed to get a couple of answers on the Eastern edge until a few … Read more >>
Independent 6306/Virgilius – New Year, New Theme…
…at least I think it’s new. I certainly don’t recall ever seeing it before. It’s a nice idea although it does make things very easy for you, once you’ve got the first one … Read more >>
Independent 6305 by Eimi – unusual, distinctive setting style
Very unusual puzzle, with some (for me) original treatments. Solving time: 31 mins * = anagram ACROSS 1 CONVENIENCE Double definition (or punning definition) – just 7 letters to clue an 11-letter word! … Read more >>
Guardian 23962/Rufus – Racy motley crew of clues
The things you learn: my basic knowledge of cricket and opera has increased significantly since I started doing cryptics regularly. A nice selection of Rufusian puns and cryptic definitions. You’d think there’d be … Read more >>