Thanks WANDERER, for a fiendish puzzle , that was deceptively difficult in parts, parsing much more so than solving! Several clever surfaces made this that much more fun.
Month: November 2018
Financial Times 16,022 by NEO
Neo provides this morning’s mental exercise in the FT.
Independent 10019 / Serpent
Serpent continues to present an entertaining challenge The last Serpent puzzle I blogged (9995) had HIDDEN AGENDA in the central row and central column. Today we had HIDDEN DEPTHS What … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,673 by Picaroon
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27673.
Financial Times 16,012 by Goliath
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 10, 2018
Independent 10,018 by Filbert
So much for the fairly gentle Wednesdays we had when Dac was setting. This was as hard — for me, at any rate — as anything you ever see in the Independent. My initial feeling was irritation with what seemed to be rather loose and vague clues, but it grew on me: the meaning of most of them is clear and at times Filbert has been remarkably clever and imaginative. The fact that some of them still seem to be a bit weak is probably down to me rather than to him. Or her, although the name suggests a man.
For various reasons Filbert was derided a bit to begin with but then he became much liked. This crossword looked initially like a reversion to his old habits, but I suspect I’ve missed some of his subtleties.
Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Financial Times 16,021 by CHALMIE
Tricky but enjoyable, especially some of the parsing. Thanks Chalmie.
Guardian 27,672 / Arachne
There’s no one better than Arachne to brighten up a grey November day. Another super puzzle from the Spider Lady, brimming with clever clues and witty wordplay / definitions / surfaces – replacement locks, … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1568: Such Delight by Chalicea
Chalicea often serves up clues that are on the easy side, followed by a task that involves a certain amount of head-scratching whilst staring at a completed grid. Preamble: Identifying one thematically placed … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,671 by Puck
Mostly pleasant with a few odd surfaces and some tricky cluing. Favourites were 1ac, 10ac and 20dn. Thanks to Puck
Financial Times 16020 Hamilton
This was quite difficult in parts. Thanks to Hamilton. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1,18across Obeying Thatcherism requires a new approach to foreign aid policy (7,6,2,4) CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME : … Read more >>
Independent 10,017 by Crosophile
Crosophile occupies the Tuesday slot this week.
Financial Times 16,019 by ARMONIE
Thanks to Armonie for a good Monday puzzle.
Guardian Quiptic 992/Matilda
Matilda usually produces a sound Quiptic for us, but I found this a bit clunky and overloaded with one particular clue type. I think beginners appreciate puzzles where there is more variety in … Read more >>
Guardian 27,670 – Pan
I started off thinking this was going to be pretty much a write-in, but was held up in the SW corner with one obscure (to me) answer and one bit of rather tricky … Read more >>