Dates given in the championship entry details today: Puzzle Published Entries postmarked no later than Solution published Qualifier 1 Thu April 3 Thu April 10 Fri April 11 Qualifier 2 Thu May 1 Thu May … Read more “Championships – closing dates and more …”
23,877 – a bit easier than I expected
Solving time 9:43 After putting up the placeholder, I forgot that my e-mail inbox would still receive the comments. So from subject lines, I got the idea that this had been a struggle for some. … Read more “23,877 – a bit easier than I expected”
Championship qualifiers
Thursday’s puzzle is the first qualifier for this year’s Times Crossword Championship. We won’t of course have reports on these until after entries have closed. We’ll say whether the blogger thought the puzzle was easy … Read more “Championship qualifiers”
Times 23,876 – X marks the spot
I had one major difficulty here, as will become apparent. 17 minutes of which the last five were spent inwardly debating, and then externally checking, 9 across. Across 5 BRAHMS – as in half of … Read more “Times 23,876 – X marks the spot”
Times 23875 – Placeholder
Solving time: not sure, I did most last night in about 45 minutes and finished this morning in a further 10 minutes. Last to go in were 7,8, and 12. Across 1 TAKE SOME BEATING … Read more “Times 23875 – Placeholder”
Mephisto 2482 – Mike Laws
Solving time: 26 mins, no books – 2 mistakes I’ve added a penalty minute to my previously quoted time for changing my mind about the answer to 1A. Definition quotes below are Copyright Chambers Harrap … Read more “Mephisto 2482 – Mike Laws”
ST 4269 (Sun 23 Mar) – Score draw
Solving time: 7:33 I enjoyed this more than usual – some good clues and no major quibbles. Should probably have been faster but I was slow to spot a few fairly standard devices, especially ‘score’ … Read more “ST 4269 (Sun 23 Mar) – Score draw”
Times Jumbo 746 (Mar 15)
Solving time 35:32 OK, it ended up being Tuesday morning, but I got there in the end! Good puzzle, a lot of clever definitions and more than the usual share of &lits. Across 1 0,RANGE,BLOSSOM … Read more “Times Jumbo 746 (Mar 15)”
Jumbo 745 (Sat 8 Mar) – Laughing Kavalier
Solving time: 18:52 Not a fast time but I’m reasonably pleased with it as I thought this was quite hard. There are some difficult words and cultural references, most of which I didn’t know, but … Read more “Jumbo 745 (Sat 8 Mar) – Laughing Kavalier”
Times Saturday 23868 (Mar 22)
Solving time 15:42 Bit of a rush job today I’m afraid. One day I’ll learn how to manage my time better! Across 1 PANT,HEIST 10 AM(I,NO(A)C)ID – tricky wordplay here: I + CON rev with … Read more “Times Saturday 23868 (Mar 22)”