Author: petebiddlecombe

I don’t often mention the Listener puzzle, partly as there are other blogs about it, partly as I’m not currently a regular solver, and partly because of the prickliness of some Listener enthusiasts about any … Read more “50-50 by Phi – an occasional Listener plug”

I suspect jackkt’s report may start with “had to buy the paper today” – when I tried to get the puzzle about half an hour ago, the site was down. It was up about 15 … Read more “Access trouble today”

I hoped to post a message this before going on holiday, but it took the Crossword Club elves a bit longer than I expected. This message from Richard Browne (Times xwd ed) appeared on the … Read more “Championship setters named”

Just a quick reminder that at 1 p.m. London time (about 75 mins from now) you can buttonhole various Times xwd setters, editors and solvers on the Times Online website – more information here – … Read more “Live crossword chat on Times website – final reminder”

Estimated competitive solving time: 9 minutes As for the Grand Final puzzles, FL indicates clues solved on first look, and WW indicates those entered without complete wordplay understanding. Both are subject to the accuracy of … Read more “2009 Finals – First Preliminary Session – Puzzle 3”

Estimated competition solving time: 9 minutes As for the Grand Final puzzles, FL indicates clues solved on first look, and WW indicates those entered without complete wordplay understanding. Both are subject to the accuracy of … Read more “2009 Finals – First Preliminary Session – Puzzle 1”

Welcome to Dave Perry and Simon Hanson, our newest bloggers, both with slots on the rotation for writing about jumbo puzzles. Thanks to Simon for prompt work on the Prelim 2 puzzles – it seemed … Read more “Posting in the wrong order …”