Author: plusjeremy

A rare DNF (“did not finish”) for me: I had LESLIE for 7 Down and SPECTRE for 21 Across. Rather silly mistakes, but I was demoralized/demoralised by what felt like rather heavy UK-centric content. Whenever … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1302 by Felix”

Introduction Either this was very difficult or my head wasn’t in the game (we’re currently moving apartments, so that’s a very real possibility), but in any case this puzzle took me an unspeakable amount of … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1292 by Joker”

A word to solvers looking to improve Two weeks ago, I augmented the usual blog with a “deep dive” on several clues which had been suggested in the comments. I’d like to try that again, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1282 by Joker”

Should have been 8’30” but ended up at 9’30” as I spent a full minute trying to figure out the last three letters of 22 Across. A very straightforward puzzle with a lot of answers … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1272 by Alconiere”

Finished this one in 11’40” while looking over paint choices for a new apartment. Several hidden words and a lot of anagrams, so not a lot of trouble here. I was held up mainly by … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1262 by Oink”

Introduction Some challenging wordplay here! Finished just under 20 minutes. Distracted by children, but also legitimately stuck on the lower left-hand corner of the grid. I didn’t take full notes on my solve, but I’ll … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1252 by Tracy”

Introduction I decided to do a walkthrough of my solve today, but it turned out to be an easier puzzle. Oh well. I’m sure it will still be helpful for some. As is my usual … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1242 by Teazel”

This was a pretty straightforward puzzle, which I would have finished in under 10 minutes, if not for the GLOSSARY/YANK crossing. I didn’t know that a YAK was a domesticated ox, and somehow I couldn’t … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1232 by Tracy”

A nice puzzle with fine wordplay, mostly solved in ten minutes. But then I spent the next five trying to figure out 10 Across, 19 Across, and 24 Across, all of which I had in … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1222 by Wurm”

Introduction First off, thank you to (almost) everybody for the kind comments about last week’s blog. I hoped it might offer some inspiration to solvers who were struggling to up their game, and it seems … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1212 by Mara”