Solving time: 41 mins It felt pretty quick this morning. I got the two long ones straight away – it helps when that happens. There were a couple of bits I needed to look up … Read more “23744 – cold and hot”
ST 4247 (Sun 21 Oct) – Well well
Solving time: 3:58 Quite a few old chestnuts today (e.g. 10ac, 11ac, 7dn). One word I didn’t know but probably should have (2dn). Music of the day, courtesy of 26ac: All Together Now by The … Read more “ST 4247 (Sun 21 Oct) – Well well”
Times Championship Grand Final – Puzzle 3
I’m fairly sure this was the quickest of the three puzzles for me. The two sets of three double defs in a row are an interesting little twist, though I doubt anyone noticed on the … Read more “Times Championship Grand Final – Puzzle 3”
Times Championship Grand Final – Puzzle 2
This was probably the toughest of the three puzzles, though because I didn’t make the same kind of slip as in the first, I think I solved it a couple of minutes quicker. Solving time … Read more “Times Championship Grand Final – Puzzle 2”
Times Saturday 23737 (Oct 20)
Solving time 31:03 My slowest time for about two months – I ascribe it to the fact that I solved this with a thumping hangover. There’s not too much really tricky here, although some of … Read more “Times Saturday 23737 (Oct 20)”
2007 Grand Final Unofficial RTC – your times please
This is a one-off unofficial contest based on your times for the three puzzles used in the Grand Final of the 2007 Times Crossword Championship. We’ll just have a ‘mini-championhip’ table for this one, so … Read more “2007 Grand Final Unofficial RTC – your times please”
Unofficial Times cryptic RTC No. 15 – your times please
This is a weekly unofficial contest based on your times for the Times cryptic crossword from Saturday to Friday. Championship puzzles and this contest Contests 13-18 will consist of five puzzles each rather than the … Read more “Unofficial Times cryptic RTC No. 15 – your times please”
We’re nearly one / Jumbo 722 delayed
I’m hopeless at remembering birthdays so while I remember, the team version of Times for the Times is one year old next Wednesday. A chance to pause and take stock. I’ll ask the same questions … Read more “We’re nearly one / Jumbo 722 delayed”
23,742 – slow starter
Good, fair puzzle today with some excellent surfaces, I thought. Took me a while to get started, but the whole thing was complete in less than 11 minutes, OSAGE being the last light to go … Read more “23,742 – slow starter”
23,741 – lean and fit
Solving time: 13:34 Although there are some very clever and tricky constructions here, most of the clues are very economical with few padding or link words, meaning that the structure tends to be easy to … Read more “23,741 – lean and fit”