Solving time: say 11 minutes I have a time of 9:25 written next to the grid from solving this shortly after the champs, but I’d heard one or two answers already and even had a … Read more “23746 – Championship Prelim 2, Puzzle 3”
Month: October 2007
Jumbo 722 – fairly tricky
Solving time (estimate): about 30 mins Failed to keep my original copy of this so I’ve just done a re-solve, which suggests that the first go must have taken a fair while, and that quite … Read more “Jumbo 722 – fairly tricky”
Times 23745 – I need the loo
Some very clever wordplay (and unlike today’s Guardian no errors!). I especially liked 1D because the definition was so well-hidden in a convincing apposite surface. Across 6 A,T IT – the kind that sings. 9 … Read more “Times 23745 – I need the loo”
23744 – cold and hot
Solving time: 41 mins It felt pretty quick this morning. I got the two long ones straight away – it helps when that happens. There were a couple of bits I needed to look up … Read more “23744 – cold and hot”
ST 4247 (Sun 21 Oct) – Well well
Solving time: 3:58 Quite a few old chestnuts today (e.g. 10ac, 11ac, 7dn). One word I didn’t know but probably should have (2dn). Music of the day, courtesy of 26ac: All Together Now by The … Read more “ST 4247 (Sun 21 Oct) – Well well”
Times Championship Grand Final – Puzzle 3
I’m fairly sure this was the quickest of the three puzzles for me. The two sets of three double defs in a row are an interesting little twist, though I doubt anyone noticed on the … Read more “Times Championship Grand Final – Puzzle 3”
Times Championship Grand Final – Puzzle 2
This was probably the toughest of the three puzzles, though because I didn’t make the same kind of slip as in the first, I think I solved it a couple of minutes quicker. Solving time … Read more “Times Championship Grand Final – Puzzle 2”
Times Saturday 23737 (Oct 20)
Solving time 31:03 My slowest time for about two months – I ascribe it to the fact that I solved this with a thumping hangover. There’s not too much really tricky here, although some of … Read more “Times Saturday 23737 (Oct 20)”
2007 Grand Final Unofficial RTC – your times please
This is a one-off unofficial contest based on your times for the three puzzles used in the Grand Final of the 2007 Times Crossword Championship. We’ll just have a ‘mini-championhip’ table for this one, so … Read more “2007 Grand Final Unofficial RTC – your times please”
Unofficial Times cryptic RTC No. 15 – your times please
This is a weekly unofficial contest based on your times for the Times cryptic crossword from Saturday to Friday. Championship puzzles and this contest Contests 13-18 will consist of five puzzles each rather than the … Read more “Unofficial Times cryptic RTC No. 15 – your times please”