A birthday tribute by Gaff
Guardian 26,907 / Orlando
It’s four months since Orlando last appeared in the Cryptic slot, so this was a welcome sight on a rather duller morning than we’ve become used to this week. Orlando’s fans will not … Read more >>
Month: June 2016
Guardian Cryptic 26,906 by Picaroon
Tough at the start, and enjoyable throughout – favourites 12ac, 1dn, 14dn and 16dn. Thanks Picaroon.
Independent 9252 / Serpent
I think this is an Independent daily debut for Serpent today. Serpent has appeared twice in the Inquisitor series where I enjoyed blogging his puzzle with a Cluedo theme. I … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,252 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 28, 2016
Financial Times 15,261 by AARDVARK
I made heavy work of this. I’m not sure if this is down to the level of difficulty of the puzzle or just that I’m feeling very sleepy this morning and have not had enough coffee to get me going yet. Anyway, thank you Aardvark for an enjoyable tussle.
Independent 9,251 by Quixote
For some time this week I have been struggling to produce anything like a half-decent clue in a certain clue-setting competition. Yet Quixote, who sets several crosswords weekly, produces smooth and efficient clues that certainly look as if they are written easily. There is seldom any strain or ‘well, I’m not sure I’d have done that …’ at any point.
Definitions underlined and in maroon.
Guardian 26,905 – Chifonie
As usual with Chifonie, a fairly straightforward puzzle, though not as much as a write-in as I sometimes find him. There seem to be a lot of inclusion-type clues, with fewer of the … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1440: Prove it by Schadenfreude
It’s not that long ago that I blogged a Schadenfreude puzzle – remember Lucy? Preamble: The four unclued entries are synonymous. Corrections to single-letter misprints in the definition part of each clue … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26,904 by Imogen
One for the Wodehouse fans among you.
Independent 9250 / Scorpion
A novel theme to today’s puzzle from Scorpion – one with which we are all probably familiar without really knowing why. What is it about 17ac that makes it a measure for the size … Read more >>
Financial Times 15260 Armonie
(Please click here for this same blog but with a picture quiz added. Please do NOT post hereinbelow any comment relating to the picture quiz. Thank you.) Thanks to Armonie for a crossword … Read more >>
Financial Times 15260 with Picture Quiz
(Please post comments on ONLY the picture quiz hereinbelow. To post comments on the crossword puzzle, please click here.) Thanks to Armonie for a crossword that didn’t present too much trouble. Definitions are … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 864/Moley
A fine Quiptic from Moley to get us off to a good start to the cryptic crossword week. She has given us concise but precise cluing; good surfaces; and a nice variety of … Read more >>