This was difficult, but the clueing is scrupulously fair and often very clever. I certainly enjoyed the challenge, but it took longer to complete than any QC of late. Newbies getting stuck, improvers completing the … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1937 by Izetti”
Month: August 2021
Times 28053 – pas mal, pas exceptionnel.
As you read this (unless you’re time zones ahead) I am on my way to a foreign land, as Scotland seems to be becoming these days. So anything that needs a response will have to … Read more “Times 28053 – pas mal, pas exceptionnel.”
Times Cryptic 28052
Solving time: 27 minutes. Another straightforward one on my watch. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and [anagrinds, containment, reversal and other indicators in square ones]. … Read more “Times Cryptic 28052”
Times Quick Cryptic 1936 by Tracy
At just over 12 minutes, this took nearly twice as long as yesterday’s. I struggled mostly in the NW. After solving this QC I carried on chewing away at a paper version of last Friday’s … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1936 by Tracy”
Times 28051 – Well, just a little faster than that….
Time: 28 minutesMusic: Bach, Goldberg Variations, Glenn Gould (1982 re-recording) I had a bad headache while solving this one, and the letters of the clues swam before my eyes. Not ideal conditions for solving, by … Read more “Times 28051 – Well, just a little faster than that….”
QC 1935 by Orpheus
Everything here went in pretty smoothly for me. There were a couple of clues (17A and 5D) that pushed me to the edge of my GK, but they still went in straight away because in … Read more “QC 1935 by Orpheus”
Sunday Times 4966 by David McLean
12:00. A relatively straightforward offering from Harry this week. Writing up the blog I was struck by how many fairly simple DDs and anagram clues there are. A fun puzzle though, with some neat touches … Read more “Sunday Times 4966 by David McLean”
Mephisto 3179 – Tim Moorey
Greetings barred-grid fans! I got through this one pretty readily, though there are a number of notes to myself about wordplay elements, I don’t have any question marks around the grid. The grid is notable … Read more “Mephisto 3179 – Tim Moorey”
Times Cryptic No 28044 – Saturday, 31 July 2021. Who is Maggie Tulliver?
This was fun. There were several clues here whose answers I guessed but couldn’t explain. I’m sure we’ll clear them up here. A special mention to 15ac – very neat. Thanks to the setter for … Read more “Times Cryptic No 28044 – Saturday, 31 July 2021. Who is Maggie Tulliver?”
Times Cryptic Jumbo 1509: Espress Permission
A collection of very straightforward clues, that I managed to pink-square by going onto autopilot and toss in CITRIC ACID, which is a lot less corrosive than NITRIC, probably fortunately for fructivores. I mostly liked … Read more “Times Cryptic Jumbo 1509: Espress Permission”