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Times for The Times: Times and comments on The Times crossword from a team of solvers

Author: topicaltim

Times 24,857

Author   topicaltimPosted on 24th May 2011 at 11:08 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

Stopped the clock at 20:32 on a tricky, inventive, but very fair puzzle. Definite tip of the hat to today’s setter. The last 5 minutes were spent trying to untangle why 28 across was what … Read more “Times 24,857”

View29 Comments on Times 24,857

Times Jumbo 922

Author   topicaltimPosted on 10th May 2011 at 8:46 PM10 September 2025Categories Jumbo Cryptic

38:23 according to the Club timer, which suggests a fairly testing puzzle, though I never really thought to myself it was that tough while I was doing it (which suggests that I was enjoying the … Read more “Times Jumbo 922”

View2 Comments on Times Jumbo 922

Times 24,845 – in which I fail

Author   topicaltimPosted on 10th May 2011 at 10:41 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

18:38, which I thought was a good time for a tough puzzle, until it turned out it was so tough I hadn’t actually solved it correctly. So, with two mistakes, not such a good time … Read more “Times 24,845 – in which I fail”

View37 Comments on Times 24,845 – in which I fail

Times 24,833 – it’s not brain surgery

Author   topicaltimPosted on 26th April 2011 at 2:14 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

24:11 on the Club timer, confirming my feeling that this was the toughest puzzle I’ve had on a blogging day for some time. Lots of good surfaces made it a pleasing challenge, though more than … Read more “Times 24,833 – it’s not brain surgery”

View29 Comments on Times 24,833 – it’s not brain surgery

Times 24,821

Author   topicaltimPosted on 12th April 2011 at 11:21 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

21:06 on the Club timer. Quite tricky, then, especially in the southern half; 24ac and 20dn were the last to fall, in quick succession. There was a certain amount of guessing / assumption going on, … Read more “Times 24,821”

View44 Comments on Times 24,821

Times Jumbo 917 (March 26, 2011)

Author   topicaltimPosted on 9th April 2011 at 12:34 PM10 September 2025Categories Jumbo Cryptic

34:58 according to the Club timer, which suggests I didn’t find this especially easy, mainly because of a number of playfully cryptic definitions which needed teasing out. I think as a litmus test, if you … Read more “Times Jumbo 917 (March 26, 2011)”

View2 Comments on Times Jumbo 917 (March 26, 2011)

Times 24,809

Author   topicaltimPosted on 29th March 2011 at 9:50 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

11:17 on the Club timer. Given that I spent at least two (inexplicable in hindsight) of those minutes trying to work out why 13 across was what it was, I think we can class this … Read more “Times 24,809”

View29 Comments on Times 24,809

Times 24,797

Author   topicaltimPosted on 15th March 2011 at 11:59 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

20:42 on the Club timer. An enjoyable puzzle, I thought, with plenty to chew over. Across 1 FIRST HAND – FIR + (H in STAND). 6 WEBER – WEB + E.R. Carl Maria von Weber: … Read more “Times 24,797”

View51 Comments on Times 24,797

Times Jumbo 912

Author   topicaltimPosted on 5th March 2011 at 6:55 PM10 September 2025Categories Jumbo Cryptic

29:33 according to the Club timer, which corresponds to moderately tough, I’d say. More than one clue went in without full understanding of why they were right, and was confirmed after the event. A puzzle … Read more “Times Jumbo 912”

View8 Comments on Times Jumbo 912

Times 24,785

Author   topicaltimPosted on 1st March 2011 at 10:43 AM10 September 2025Categories Daily Cryptic

9:02 on the Club timer. I hope the setter will understand it’s not a criticism if I describe this as a straightforward and workmanlike daily puzzle which probably won’t live long in the memory. Not … Read more “Times 24,785”

View43 Comments on Times 24,785

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