Category: Quick Cryptic

I found this tough, and persevered beyond 20 minutes as I thought it might be nice to actually finish a crossword this week. Alas, I threw in the towel at 23 minutes and clicked on … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2058 by Teazel”

A good tester, involving a couple of educated guesses, but which I managed to finish in average time. I suspect there will be many NHOs today with the fabric, yarn, and amphibian (as well as … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2057 by Orpheus”

All bar the last few clues were happily put to bed in 5 and half minutes. The last four (1dn, 17ac, 18dn and LOI 20ac) stayed up late and took just over another three mintues. … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2056 by Mara”

An almost completely sequential solve for me. The only one that I had to pass over first time round was 21A where the double definition just managed to elude me but popped out like a … Read more “QC 2055 by Hurley”

Straigtforward enough, but one in which experience may count. There are a few wordplay devices that are fine if you’ve seen them before, but beginners may find harder. Most clues eminently biffable, though which helps, and … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2054 by Rongo”

This was another quick solve for me at just inside 8 minutes, so thanks to the Don for a fairly easy ride on my blogging day.  There have been some tough QCs recently, and this … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2053 by Izetti”

Introduction 7:39, right about my average time. This puzzle had a mix of very straightforward clueing with some real curveballs (or whatever the cricket equivalent is). I was so unsure of 13 Across that I … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2052 by Joker”

In stark contrast to last Tuesday’s blog, today’s is full of sweeetness and light. Answers flew in right across the grid. Although LOI 23ac threatened to spoil the party (for no apparent reason), it then … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2051 by Tracy”

Solving time: 9 minutes. I hope this puzzle will suit all solvers. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and [anagrinds, containment, reversal and other indicators in … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2050 by Oink”

You may have seen in last weekend’s Times Puzzles newsletter from David Parfitt that Wadham Sutton has completed 50 years as a Times crossword setter, and that he sets Quick Crosswords under the name of … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2049 by Orpheus”