Category: Quick Cryptic

Solving time: 10 minutes. I completed all but two intersecting answers in 6 minutes, but needed another 4 to crack them.  I was pleased to get back to achieving my target after missing it for … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1690 by Orpheus”

It’s a while since I got to blog an Izetti. In the past it has always been a pleasure and today is no exception. Lovely smooth surfaces, crystal clear wordlay and nothing 10A. I managed … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1689 by Izetti”

A second outing for Monty today, his first being a fortnight ago to the day. Looking back over the previous comments, it was a puzzle that divided opinion, with some fairly tough clues, a dash … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1688 by Monty”

I raced through this one, helped by plenty of double definitions and opportunities to biff. I did pause on blogging at 16dn thinking that some double duty was afoot, and at 5dn wondering if the … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1687 by Mara”

A hold up on 1ac and 3dn delayed my finish to 10 seconds outside my target of 10 minutes. No grumps from me, though, as I enjoyed this one a lot. Clues to enjoy around … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1686 by Orpheus”

Once again I don’t have much time for anything more than the usual stats. Again I felt this was of medium QC difficulty similar to the last one I blogged and certainly a step up … Read more “QC 1685 by Hurley”

Seemed a bit chewy at the time, but is fairly straigtforward in retrospect, which means the surfaces are clever. LOI 6dn – they get me every time. Curarist’s third law states that if you’re completely stumped, it’s probably … Read more “Quick Cryptic 1684 by Joker”

This is one of the most efficiently and succinctly clued crosswords I have seen for a goodly while.  Excellent craftsmanship from Tracy, with barely a wasted syllable.  It took me just 11 minutes to crack, … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1683 by Tracy”

Introduction 8:56. A solid puzzle that took some work to work out. I think I was mainly held up by the anagrams, which I am simply not good at without pencil and paper. Remind me … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic No 1682 by Teazel”

Very rapid progress – all bar the last two in just over 6 minutes. The 13ac/dn pair were LOsI. Finished in 7:27 – so A Good Day. I found this extremely enjoyable. Crisp clueing and … Read more “Times Quick Cryptic 1681 by Oink”