Category: Quick Cryptic

A stiff enough challenge today from Pedro. The grid was looking rather bare after a first pass of the acrosses, not helped by a total lack of anagrams, which often provide a foothold: I only … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2018 by Pedro”

This was quite tricky, and I was well over my target time before I got to my last unfilled entry (7dn, NHO). That one was not the only clue that went in under pressure without … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2017 by Hurley”

A handful of clues here to trip up the unsuspecting solver. While I sympathise with those who might say that some of these answers are slightly obscure, and therfore inappropriate in a QC, there is … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2016 by Breadman”

Hi Jalna, I don’t think we have ever met before, but thank you for this elegant offering which took me back to one of my favourite works of literature (Ulysses) and managed a slyly topical … Read more “QC 2015 by Jalna”

So I came in slightly over target at 6 and a bit minutes. It’s got a whole bunch of crossword staples that you either know or you don’t, (LING, IDE, ELL) which makes me think … Read more “Quick Cryptic 2014 by Izetti”

A neatly concise QC from Joker which took me one minute over target to 16 minutes, so towards the tougher end of the Rotterometer.  There are some old chestnuts (Eton (again!), the chatty judge, etc.) … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2013 by Joker”

Introduction DNF, thanks to 11 Down (my parsing remains questionable). Solutions Across 1   Difficult situation spinners turned around (4)SPOT = TOPS reversed 4   Display feathers in final confrontation (8)SHOWDOWN = SHOW + DOWN … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2012 by Mara”

As your regular Tuesday blogger Chris is away for a while, I’ve come off the substitutes’ bench to fill his slot today. When I printed out this crossword from Tracy, I was struck by the … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2011 by Tracy”

Solving time: 9 minutes. Maybe some tricky clues here. As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and [anagrinds, containment, reversal and other indicators in square ones]. I … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 2010 by Orpheus”

This was fun. A rare appearance, only his third as far as I can see, for today’s setter Rodney. Lots of smooth surfaces and witty clues. I was held up only by the SW corner … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 2009 by Rodney”