November 2017 – Page 2 – Fifteensquared

Cyclops 612 – Water-bed Geriatric

November 27, 2017 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

It may just be a product of my febrile (50-year-old) teenage imagination, but this puzzle seems to be a bit of a homage to the late Hugh Hefner… There is a WATER BED … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1448 Peter

November 26, 2017 at 12:37 amNovember 26, 2017 at 12:01 am by scchua

Thanks to Peter, for a puzzle that posed just a little difficulty. Definitions are underlined in the clues. P.S. I will be away when this is posted, so the blog won’t be corrected for … Read more >>

Everyman 3710/19 November

November 26, 2017 at 12:01 am by Pierre

A puzzle from Everyman with his usual sprinkling of multi-part clues. Some less than pleasing surface readings (if those are important to you) but otherwise, as usual, all sound and tractable. … Read more >>

AZED 2,371

November 26, 2017 at 12:00 am by PeeDee

I bought a Chambers Dictionary app for my phone last week so I could solve puzzles in the coffee shop without having to cart the Big Red Book around. So I tried using it for Azed this week. It was clearly more efficient than using the paper copy but made me realize how much of the pleasure of solving Azed is not just in the words I look up but in all those other words I come across on the way. I spend as much time off on tangents as I do solving the puzzle. An efficient app that takes me directly to the entry in question free of distractions sounds good in principle but I don’t think I will be using it as first choice in future. Thanks to Azed for a super puzzle, as always.

Independent 9,710 by Tees

November 25, 2017 at 10:34 amNovember 25, 2017 at 10:00 am by Simon Harding

It’s been a while since I’ve tackled a Tees, so this was a welcome change. Perhaps not as hard as some by this often formidable setter? Unless I’m getting smarter, which seems deeply … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No. 1304: Eye & Nose by Artix

November 25, 2017 at 9:00 am by Shenanigans

This weekend, I have two Artix puzzles to blog. The first is over at Listen With Others, Follow the Directions and has Charles Kingsley’s Westward Ho as its theme. Unusually for Artix, the … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 27,358 by Puck

November 25, 2017 at 12:05 am by bridgesong

A characteristically tricky and witty puzzle from Puck this week, although I’m not sure I’ve spotted every piece of misdirection.

Financial Times 15,715 by WANDERER

November 24, 2017 at 12:22 pmNovember 24, 2017 at 11:01 am by Turbolegs

A witty challenge from WANDERER who seems to have been in a playful mood in setting this.

Independent 9,709 / Phi

November 24, 2017 at 9:57 am by RatkojaRiku

Phi’s latest puzzle ushers in the cruciverbal weekend. I found this one to be towards the easier end of the Phi spectrum, but nonetheless an enjoyable and satisfying solve. As usual, I have … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 27,363 by Pan

November 24, 2017 at 9:08 amNovember 24, 2017 at 4:40 am by manehi

An enjoyable and relatively gentle end to the week. Favourites were 19/29, 3dn, 16dn and 19dn. Thanks to Pan.

Guardian 27,362 – Paul

November 23, 2017 at 10:17 amNovember 23, 2017 at 9:24 am by Andrew

A superb puzzle from Paul that revealed its secrets satisfyingly and not too quickly. I was rather surprised to find, after getting a few answers in, that there seemed to be a theme … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,714 by GAFF

November 23, 2017 at 10:21 amNovember 23, 2017 at 7:54 am by loonapick

An anniversary puzzle found here and one which fans of Fawlty Towers may appreciate more than I did…

Independent 9708 / Serpent

November 23, 2017 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

A serpentine challenge today. I note that there is at least one C in every entry. Serpent will no doubt have a reason for putting them in, but I don’t know … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,705 – Falcon

November 23, 2017 at 12:05 am by Sil

Monday Prize Crossword / Nov 13, 2017

A Falcon puzzle which I found very easy but it will surely have pleased those longing for a gentle start of the FT week.