Unless you’re very experienced you are unlikely to solve a Mephisto without using Chambers. The idea is that you use the precise wordplay to derive an answer that you then verify in the dictionary. 9A … Read more “Mephisto 3038 – Tim Moorey. Inland from Oban again.”
Month: November 2018
Sunday Times Cryptic 4825, by David McLean — Four-letter word! (But is it art?)
As I set this to publish, I’m just back from the Metropolitan Museum here in New York City, where I spent some time with the sensational Eugène Delacroix. Which seems appropriate, as this puzzle reacquainted … Read more “Sunday Times Cryptic 4825, by David McLean — Four-letter word! (But is it art?)”
Times Cryptic No 27198 – Saturday, 17 November 2018. He did it his way.
I found lots to like in this rather challenging puzzle. 26ac caused me most grief, but my clue of the day was 16ac. I’ve always been a fan of Frank! Thanks to the setter for … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27198 – Saturday, 17 November 2018. He did it his way.”
Times cryptic Jumbo 1351
This was tricky wasn’t it? I needed an hour to complete it and needed a bit of assistance to tease out some Mephisto-ish words. First in was GOUACHE and I forgot to note the last … Read more “Times cryptic Jumbo 1351”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1229 by Corelli – Double the fun
My first Corelli QC to blog, I think, and what a fun one! I was about two-thirds of the way through it before I spotted what was going on with the across clues. I’ve seen … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1229 by Corelli – Double the fun”
Times 27,203: View Halloo
A very nice Friday puzzle I thought, not overly complex in terms of the wordplay but given much extra chewiness by tough vocabulary and a very nice line in obscuring the definition part. FOIs 15ac … Read more “Times 27,203: View Halloo”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1228 by Orpheus
Sorry for the late posting – unforeseen circumstances not entirely unrelated to alcohol. Anyway, all good, and good puzzle, a bit on the trickier side. I did this straight after Tuesday’s QC and took pretty … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1228 by Orpheus”
Times Cryptic No 27202, Thursday, 22 November 2018 Driving you Caracas
I thought this was a bit of a cracker with plenty of entertainment and some rather high quality cluing, characterised by smooth surfaces that really keep you on your crosswording toes. Those who skipped Sunday … Read more “Times Cryptic No 27202, Thursday, 22 November 2018 Driving you Caracas”
Times 27195 – TCC Heat 1 puzzle 1 or 3 (not sure which).
Last week I assumed the first puzzle from the TCC offered in the paper would have been the first one of the three presented to contenders. Apparently it wasnt, it was the second one in … Read more “Times 27195 – TCC Heat 1 puzzle 1 or 3 (not sure which).”
Quick Cryptic 1227 by Hurley
One in which to savour the surface readings (at least on reflection). Somewhere inbetween Monday’s and Tuesday’s in difficulty, so fairly straightforward, I had only to learn the hat at 12dn and RI (rather than a more … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1227 by Hurley”