Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 13, 2018
Independent 9995 / Serpent
I find Serpent puzzles to be quite difficult and this one was as well However, I got there in the end by plugging away at it. I was helped towards … Read more >>
Month: October 2018
S & B York 2018 – available crosswords
At this weekend’s York S & B, there will be, at least, 5 ‘new’ crosswords around for those who can’t get enough of it. The puzzles can be solved interactively and are already there on the … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,648 by Pasquale
A slow solve with some tough parsing – still not sure about 8dn. Favourites were 25ac, 2/24, 4dn, and 18dn. Thanks to Pasquale.
Financial Times 15,997 by REDSHANK
An enjoyable puzzle. One of those where the parsing looks obvious in retrospect, but not so before finding the solutions. How it should be – thank you Redshnak.
Independent 9,994 by Eccles
The last time Eccles (yes me again, I’m afraid) appeared I wrote “It seems that Eccles is becoming an increasingly regular setter on Fifteensquared, filling in many of the Wednesday slots that used to be occupied by Dac. Which is appropriate, for he is a good setter, not the hardest, but always challenging enough and pleasant to solve.” I couldn’t say much more after this pleasant offering from someone who is, I’m pleased to see, becoming a fixture on Fifteensquared.
Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Inquisitor 1564: Soft Tube by Schadenfreude
Sch… is never away long – it seems like one in every 8 to 10 puzzles is his. Preamble: Two letters must be removed from the answers in each row and column … Read more >>
York S&B — route map for Friday evening
You can download a route map for Friday evening’s quiz pub crawl from: https://www.jetdoc.co.uk/crossword-and-quiz-links This year, food will be served in Brigantes, the second pub on the route.
Financial Times 15,996 by SLORMGORM
A decent coffee-time solve with a couple of talking points.
Guardian 27,647 – Brummie
Pretty easy-going for a Brummie, I thought, with just a little trouble finishing off the SW corner. Brummie doesn’t always do themes, but I spotted one here quite quickly (which helped with a … Read more >>
Independent 9,993 by Hob
Regulars will know that Tuesday is usually ‘Theme Day’. Hob’s offering today was no exception.
Independent 9992 / Italicus
Another no-show by the scheduled blogger so it will have to be another ‘analysis without commentary’, sorry, apart from to mention the obvious theme, which some (a lot?) of us feel we’ve heard … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,646 by Arachne
A tougher than normal Monday puzzle.
Guardian Quiptic 988/Matilda
Matilda has produced a straightforward cryptic for us this morning. All clearly clued and tractable, so fitting the bill perfectly in my opinion. What did you think? Abbreviations cd cryptic … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,995 by FALCON
FALCON opens the week with a nice mix of clues…