March 2018 – Fifteensquared

Independent crossword 9817 by Monk

March 31, 2018 at 5:30 am by twencelas

Easter weekend and a puzzle from Monk. At this time of semi-religious celebrations, I did have my own “Road to Damsucus” revelation. Whilst I spend most of my solving time looking at the … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 27,465 / Paul

March 31, 2018 at 12:02 am by Eileen

Four weeks ago, I wrote in my preamble to a Paul Prize puzzle blog, “Because I blog the Prize puzzle every four weeks and Paul seems to occupy the Prize slot every two … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1322 – Aide-mémoire by Gaston

March 31, 2018 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“Despite being a 13, Gaston works at the 21 (both clued by wordplay only). All other across clues are normal, though four thematic pairs of suitably positioned entries are unclued. Wordplay in all but the final down clue leads to the answer and an additional letter not to be entered into the grid; in clue order these spell out an AIDE-MÉMOIRE to help Gaston remember the correct sequence of unclued entries. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

Independent 9,816 by Phi

March 30, 2018 at 11:04 amMarch 30, 2018 at 10:07 am by John

This was one of Phi’s hardest, I thought, not helped by several words …

Guardian Cryptic 27,470 by Paul

March 30, 2018 at 4:37 am by PeterO

The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27470.

Financial Times No 15,819 by Julius

March 29, 2018 at 1:32 pmMarch 29, 2018 at 12:13 pm by loonapick

As this was a jigsaw-style puzzle I was unable to use the usual blogging software, so apologies for the layout of today’s blog, and for the lateness of the post. The puzzle was … Read more >>

Guardian 27,469 / Nutmeg

March 29, 2018 at 9:52 am by Eileen

A typically elegant and witty offering from Nutmeg – my thanks to her for an enjoyable puzzle. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 9 Cut, but not polished, when suggested? (5-4) ROUGH-HEWN … Read more >>

Independent 9815 / Knut

March 29, 2018 at 8:08 am by Bertandjoyce

A great Thursday challenge from Knut today. Plenty here to get the old grey matter working. Not being football fans, we had to check 18ac but Bert had at least heard of … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,818 by BRADMAN

March 28, 2018 at 10:23 am by PeeDee

Played with a straight bat, a safe pair of hands and no tampering. Thank you Bradman.

Guardian Cryptic 27,468 by Picaroon

March 28, 2018 at 10:08 amMarch 28, 2018 at 8:50 am by manehi

Tricky, fun, and all perfectly fair – favourites were 18ac, 25ac, 27ac, 2dn, and 20dn. Thanks, Picaroon

Independent 9,814 / Dac

March 28, 2018 at 7:34 am by RatkojaRiku

Dac is occupying this week’s Wednesday slot, his spiritual home at the Indy. Dac always delivers a set of clean, crisp clues, with plenty of smooth surfaces in evidence. That said, I am … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,809 by Mudd

March 28, 2018 at 12:01 am by Pete Maclean

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 17, 2018

Inquisitor 1534: Unsatisfying by Phi

March 28, 2018 at 12:01 am by Hihoba

Note to self: READ THE RUBRIC CAREFULLY! I missed the fifth word of the rubric, equal, which would have helped quite a lot. I noticed it when I had almost finished and used it … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,817 by LOROSO

March 27, 2018 at 10:23 am by Grant Baynham

Hard but fair and very stylish from Loroso this morning.

Guardian 27,467 – Boatman

March 27, 2018 at 9:25 am by Andrew

Phew, that was hard! I’m not always the greatest fan of Boatman’s style, but despite the difficulties in this one I enjoyed it, and found it fairly clued, with some clever devices and … Read more >>