I solved all but 7dn, 13ac and 15ac within 30 minutes but then I was stuck. Part of my problem was that I had rashly biffed MILD at 6ac and I needed to realise my … Read more “Times Cryptic 26810”
Author: jackkt
Times Quick Cryptic 900 by Izetti
This one took me 8 minutes with no real hold-ups. Most of the vocabulary is straightforward although there is a two-word expression at 5dn that may not be familiar to all. It’s clearly an anagram … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 900 by Izetti”
Times Cryptic 26804
I needed 48 minutes for this one. I thought it was going to be easy because I wrote in 7 adjoining answers in the NW straightaway but then slowed to a crawl, gradually picking off the answers … Read more “Times Cryptic 26804”
Times Cryptic 26798
This one took me 48 minutes. I found it quite tricky with a number of rather intricate parsings. For some reason my LOI (19ac) took for ever to parse but I had stopped the clock … Read more “Times Cryptic 26798”
Times Quick Cryptic 890 by Wurm
This is only Wurm’s second outing as our setter, his (?) first appearance being on 21st June this year when I completed the puzzle in 7 minutes. I needed 17 minutes to finish this one, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 890 by Wurm”
Times Cryptic 26792
After yesterday’s easy run this one presented me with much more of a challenge. My solve started well enough and I appeared to be heading for completion in 30-40 minutes but I had problems in … Read more “Times Cryptic 26792”
Times Cryptic 26786
I needed only 25 minutes for this one, so completed it comfortably within my half-hour target. I’m not convinced it was particularly easy so perhaps I was on the setter’s wavelength for once (and yes, … Read more “Times Cryptic 26786”
Times Quick Cryptic 880 by Joker
A very enjoyable 10-minute solve with some excellent surface readings. I don’t think there are any difficult words or unusual meanings, just one definition I needed to check after completing the grid to make sure … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 880 by Joker”
Times Cryptic 26780
49 minutes for this very entertaining puzzle with a good mix of easy and more complicated clues and one or two moderately obscure references. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions are in … Read more “Times Cryptic 26780”
Times Cryptic 26774
55 minutes for this one. I seem destined to report a slow solving time on blogging days. I don’t suffer from ‘blogger’s nerves’ any more but in the course of duty one likes to consider every … Read more “Times Cryptic 26774”