Straightforward
Guardian 26,826 / Picaroon
I swear that I have no communication with the Crossword Editor and am not bribing him to schedule Picaroon puzzles for my blogging days. [This is getting really spooky, though.] On ‘Brain of … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26,825 by Rufus
Very nice from Rufus – I especially liked 10ac, 12ac and 8dn.
Independent 9171/Lohengrin
I enjoyed very much this Lohengrin puzzle, with a good variety of clue types and subject matter. He’s a comparatively recent addition to the Indy stable, but a good one. Sadly, this will … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 851 Provis
A brisk and enjoyable solve, at the easier end for a Quiptic. Thanks to Provis. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Require left-winger to return after organised resistance starts (5) ORDER … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,356
I must admit to being at least as in the dark as you lot about what the future may hold for Beelzebub, but at the time of writing it seems that this may … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 152 – Enigmatist
It’s always a bit worrying for a blogger to see Enigmatist’s name on a puzzle, especially a Genius, but here I was lucky to spot the theme almost immediately, when I tentatively solved … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1358/Daedalus
Daedalus must be getting fed up with me blogging his puzzles. This is his seventh since making his debut in the Indy/IoS a year ago, and four have now fallen to me to … Read more >>
AZED 2,282
A surprisingly easy Azed — which I completed in a single session with only occasional recourse to TBRB — relatively speaking not too many Scots words or Spenserisms.
Everyman 3,621
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3621.
Enigmatic Variations 1214 Zoophily by Eclogue
A novel variation on the “hidden” message them this week. Words are to be anagrammed within the clues to make the clue solvable with their first letters leading to a “modified” quotation. Took … Read more >>
Independent 9164 Tyrus (Sat 28-Feb 2016)
If my calculations are correct we have just passed the seventh anniversary of when Rusty* first graced the inside back page of the Indy. From the off he was recognised as one of … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 26,818 / Paul
It’s Paul playing tricksy games with us, in a puzzle that I found quite a challenge but a really satisfying one to complete. I enjoyed it more than any Paul puzzle for quite … Read more >>
Guardian 26,823 – Paul / Updated
Edit: updated. A bit rushed in the blogging, but I did enjoy solving this earlier – a nice variety in the theme. Favourites 15ac and 19,3.
Apologies all for the delay – I’ve been having connection issues this morning. Should have a full post up shortly, but discuss away in the meantime.
Independent 9,169 by Phi
One of Phi’s easier offerings I thought (but none the worse for that). On the first pass through I, unusually for me, solved nearly half of the clues, which are as usual excellent.
Definitions underlined and in DarkMagenta, which I fear will look a bit odd but let’s see.