On the second day of Christmas…
Guardian 27,078 – Vlad
Phew! A tough challenge from Vlad this morning, despite a few easy clues to get me started (including a couple of old chestnuts at 5a and 8d). I had quite a lot of … Read more >>
Month: December 2016
Independent 9424 / Radian
We found this Radian a bit of a challenge for a Tuesday, but one we really enjoyed tackling. The level of difficulty of the clues varied widely, which at least enabled a quick … Read more >>
Boatman & Friends in Conversation – Waterstones Brighton 19 January 2017
Ashley Knowles (Boatman) will be at Waterstones in Brighton from 7 pm on Thursday 19 January to host a rare joint appearance of Guardian Crossword Editor, Hugh Stephenson and John Halpern (Paul in … Read more >>
Quiptic 893 by Pasquale
A surprise to find Pasquale occupying the Quiptic slot this week.
Independent 9423/Hoskins
Frankly, I thought this was a load of guff. In fact, it was a fine puzzle, but did contain a number of references to farting. I’m surprised the setter eschewed the opportunity … Read more >>
Everyman 3663
If I may do a bit of bah, humbug, I thought this was a bit one-dimensional, with the same devices being used lots of times. But if you like multi-part clues, then this … Read more >>
Independent 9422 by Tees (Saturday Puzzle 24 December 2016)
Season’s greetings! Peace on earth and goodwill to all men? Sometimes seems an unlikely prospect, and Tees seems to have a gloomy message in today’s puzzle… …starting with 1A (THE MIDDLE EAST) and … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,070 by Paul
Paul at his most libertarian this week.
Enigmatic Variations 1256: Stock Exchange by proXimal
proXimal invites us to take a punt on the STOCK EXCHANGE…will this pay dividends?…will there be a bull or bear market, or a great depression?! The preamble states that: “Twelve clues contain a … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,431 by MUDD
An excellent friday challenge from a familiar setter on the FT but not so much on Fridays. Thanks Mudd!!
Independent 9,421 / Phi
Phi’s latest offering rounds off the working week and heralds the transition to the seasonal jumbos in various newspapers and magazines. It is unlike me ever to spot a theme in a Phi … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27075 Screw
The last couple slowed me down, otherwise a nice one from Screw, to whom thanks. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Kids grabbing parent’s front or back (7) SPONSOR : SONS(kids;children) … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,430 by WANDERER
A rushed affair this morning…
Independent 9420 / Daedalus
Daedalus has featured a few times in the Independent or Independent on Sunday over the past two years but I think this is the first time I have blogged one of his / … Read more >>