I think it was widely accepted that this was a difficult puzzle. I can’t give my own time, or even a very good estimate, as besides not timing the individual puzzles, I chopped and changed … Read more “2010 Championship Grand Final – Puzzle 1”
Author: i_am_magoo
Times 23,718 (detecting the architects)
Solving time: 9:26 – my most disappointing time of the week (though not my longest) – after a minute’s thought, I got going OK at the start, and didn’t realise I was getting held up … Read more “Times 23,718 (detecting the architects)”
23,579 – Roedean forever?
Solving time : 5m01s – Seemed an easy puzzle, though with some surprising words. The finish of 20 and 24 are such to suggest that 28 FOREVER is placed deliberately for some secret Nina purpose … Read more “23,579 – Roedean forever?”
23,573 – Plenty of standards on view
Solving time: 5m45s – Got held up badly at the end by 6d/7d/13ac which was feeble – guessing correctly at 13ac but then worrying enough about the other two that I crossed it out before … Read more “23,573 – Plenty of standards on view”
23,567 – Kudos for this kicking cracker
Solving time : 16m28s – I have to say that I think this is my out-and-out favourite Times crossword puzzle of at least the last year, an absolutely awesome collection of brilliantly deceptive and witty … Read more “23,567 – Kudos for this kicking cracker”
Smut and haste
Solving time : 5m12s – I was pleased with my time here given some difficulties, with 1 across where I immediately entered –MENT for the second half, and not picking off all the long answers … Read more “Smut and haste”
23,538 – Good stuff – worth two looks
Solving time : 7m34s – A dipangram (2 of each letter in the grid at least), and a demonstration that this can lead to interesting words, as well as just odd ones. Also, and more … Read more “23,538 – Good stuff – worth two looks”
23,526 – Maybe together the total group can advance afar
Solving time : 7m15s – At first I thought this was really hard – but then a minute later one or two answers came and I calmed down, and proceeded OK. I think it may … Read more “23,526 – Maybe together the total group can advance afar”
23,520 – Italia! oh Italia!
Solving time : 7m58s – Not a great time, given clues that are generally lucid and give one a fair chance – but a couple of the answers require serious knowledge, or good crosswording assumptions…I … Read more “23,520 – Italia! oh Italia!”
23,514 – Keeping up with the Joneses
Solving time : 6m05s – I have to say this felt like a very good time, given some brilliantly contrived clues, that featured many words not meaning what they appeared to at all (and often … Read more “23,514 – Keeping up with the Joneses”