Apologies for the late posting – we simply got carried away and forgot!
Month: December 2018
Guardian Cryptic 27,705 by Qaos
A themed offering from Qaos.
Independent 10,051/eimi
The player-manager pulls on the shirt to take the field for the final game of the year. Will it be a puzzle of two halves? Will the solver be over the moon on … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 998/Anto
Anto has the Quiptic for us this morning. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed … Read more >>
Another Year Ends …
… or should that be another year is about to start?
Well, as we come to the end of another year it is time for me to say thank you to all the bloggers and comment posters who have contributed so much to this site during the past twelve months and to the setters, and their editors, who have provided the cryptic puzzles for our delectation.
Guardian Prize Puzzles
Due to the recent festivities, the closing date for entries has been extended so the blogs of Maskarade and Azed 2,428 will appear on 3rd Jan and 5th Jan respectively.
Everyman 3,767
The Observer crossword from Dec 23, 2018
I did this one on Christmas Eve after a day full of Trains, No Boats & Planes.
Despite being rather tired, I experienced no problems whatsoever. And so, it must have been Everyman Lite, I guess.
Independent on Sunday 1505/Hoskins
Hoskins brings us the last IoS crossword of the year. I have been a fan of this setter and his style since he came on the scene a few years ago, but I … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1361 Everywhere by Oxymoron
Something to be removed from all across answers – specified by 2 down answers. The down answers are normal. And nothing to highlight! Two unclued entries to find, which define what needs to … Read more >>
Independent 10,050 by Wire (Saturday Puzzle 29 December 2018)
Friends, Romans, Crossword-men (and women), lend me your beers…I come to praise Wire, not to bury him… I think this my first Wire solve/blog – and most enjoyable it was too. A veritable … Read more >>
Inquisitor Review of 2017-8 by Nimrod
Variety Show
Whatever your Mastermind specialist subject, I hope you’ve not been too universally challenged by another extraordinarily diverse set of themed puzzles from the IQ setters this year. Once again I tip my hat to our incredible team of compilers.
Guardian Cryptic 27703 Vlad
Apologies for the late blog. Firstly, the puzzle was no walkover, and secondly I lost the (unsaved) document when the battery on my laptop ran out. As they say, “it never rains…” In … Read more >>
Independent 10,049 by Phi
It’s the last Phi-day of the year! We hope everyone had a great Christmas and wish you all a Happy New Year
Financial Times 16,051 by BRADMAN
A relatively benign offering today from the Don for his last crossword in 2018! Thanks Don, and looking forward to more of your challenges in 2019.
Financial Times 16,042 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 15, 2018