Author: Chris

This one’s an Izetti – so it’s clever but gettable. Thoroughly enjoyed my 13 minutes bouncing around the grid. The NW caused the most problems and I finished with LOI 13ac.6dn gets my COD for … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1356 by Izetti”

I found this pretty tough (especially the SW) but I was solving on paper, in lovely weather, sitting by a lake. I’ll be interested to see other comments as I suspect the setting/distraction added to … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1351 by Teazel”

I felt I was on for a quick time until a few gaps in the SW (notably 16ac and 12dn) ticked the time to just over 10 minutes. 16ac is not without interest so worth … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1346 by Rongo”

Well, what a pleasure. This took some time (15 mins) but I was never grumpy as I enjoyed every moment relishing the surfaces. To anyone coming recently to cryptics from concise crosswords – look for … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1341 by Grumpy”

Another fine offering from Izetti. Not, for me at least, an easy write in (I took over 12 minutes) but all the clues seem clever and well defined. LOI was 6dn as I groped for … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1336 by Izetti”

A quick QC – coming in at just under 8 minutes. Our setter may be making a commentary on current politics at 8, 10 and 11ac but this doesn’t preclude a porcine reference or two. … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1331 by Oink”

Quite a few anagrams, a bit of piecing together, some thought required on exact definitions and some clever clues. A good QC completed in 09:12. LOI 9ac, COD 10ac.I know the QC is a long … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1326 by Hurley”

Lots to enjoy here – and I took my time doing so – 13 minutes making sure I’d fully understood each clue. Some really do repay the effort – I particularly liked the brief but … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1321 by Teazel”

A good QC from Orpheus. I’d have been quicker than 10 mins if I hadn’t continued my spell of messing up on a particular clue (this time LOI 8ac). Hopefully you’ll all be OK – … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1316 by Orpheus”

Having gone wrong at 7dn I deservedly enter the hallowed halls of the SCC today. When I finally realised what had happened, the rest, with some relief, fell into place with the clock on 17 … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1311 by Tracy”