This took me just inside my 15-minute target to solve, but looking back on it as I write the blog, I wonder why it took me so long? Typically Jokeresque, there is nothing unusual, obtuse … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1803 by Joker”
Month: February 2021
Times 27892 – you can’t pass heat from the cooler to the hotter
Solving time: 9:59, which is pretty close to my target time, so I feel good about this one. It isn’t simple, but not too tricky. It is very rare that a Times daily puzzle has … Read more “Times 27892 – you can’t pass heat from the cooler to the hotter”
Times 27891 – what was the largest city in the world, until 612 BC?
I enjoyed this a lot; it wasn’t a particularly tough test I thought, but amongst the nomal insert-this-into-that and delete-that-from-this clues we had some less obvious wordplay. For example, 7d, 18d, 24d. I especially liked … Read more “Times 27891 – what was the largest city in the world, until 612 BC?”
Times Quick Cryptic No 1802 by Tracy
Introduction 6:33. Found this very straightforward for about 93%, but the other 7% really made me pause to scratch my head. Solutions A brief summary of cryptic crosswords —feel free to skip— : Each clue … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1802 by Tracy”
Times Quick Cryptic 1801 by Teazel
Just a few (9 – I counted them) seconds over 10 minute target but I felt pleased with the time as I wasn’t tuned in to the correct radio frequency. The only way of assessing … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1801 by Teazel”
Times Cryptic 27890
Considering the number of bits and pieces I didn’t know, I was pleased to complete this in 31 minutes. Rather heavy on classical stuff and soap operas. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, … Read more “Times Cryptic 27890”
Monthly Club Special 20,244: The Art of Falling Apart
As usual the best crossword of the month, whatever Horryd may think! Some gorgeous clues in here, of which I think my favourites were 13ac (certainly took me the longest to decipher) and 24ac. But … Read more “Monthly Club Special 20,244: The Art of Falling Apart”
Times 27889 – PS: Please, Please, Please Stop
I found this a tad on the trickier side for a Monday but good chance I was being a bit dumb. Not much to say intro-wise, so we’ll get right down to it and let … Read more “Times 27889 – PS: Please, Please, Please Stop”
Times Quick Cryptic 1800 by Hurley
Solving time: 10 minutes, but only just! There are a few clues that may be a bit tricky for newer solvers but there’s easy stuff too, hopefully sufficient to get some early answers in the … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1800 by Hurley”