2018 – Page 80 – Fifteensquared

Financial Times 15,777 by AARDVARK

Thu February 8, 2018 at 4:40 pmThu February 8, 2018 at 1:38 pm by loonapick

The puzzle can be found here.

Financial Times 15,767 by Goliath

Thu February 8, 2018 at 7:11 pmThu February 8, 2018 at 11:20 am by Pete Maclean

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 27, 2018

Independent 9,773 by Serpent

Thu February 8, 2018 at 11:07 amThu February 8, 2018 at 9:54 am by John

For the second time in succession Serpent is stuck with me, but from my point of view that’s fine. There were some very good clues here. It was none too easy, but once one knows the answers it all fits in well (with the exception in my case of 4dn, which I still don’t really get — but I do now, thanks James and WordPlodder, good clue).

Definitions underlined, in maroon, and anagram indicators in italics.

Guardian Cryptic 27427 Imogen

Mon February 26, 2018 at 4:13 amThu February 8, 2018 at 7:54 am by scchua

A bit difficult to start with, but then the pace quickened. Thanks to Imogen. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Victorian chimney sweeping, an example of nepotism? (4,3,3,4) JOBS FOR THE … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,776 by CHALMIE

Wed February 7, 2018 at 10:25 amWed February 7, 2018 at 9:35 am by PeeDee

We have to find eight 1-acrosses in the solutions, not otherwise defined. Not knowing which solutions were undefined made this a little trickier than usual but fortunately I had at least heard of all the 1-acrosses. Thanks Chalmie.

Independent 9772 / Eccles

Wed February 7, 2018 at 8:08 am by Bertandjoyce

We had the pleasure of blogging Eccles’ most recent Indy puzzle last month, and here he is again! All good fun – nothing too tricky, lovely surfaces, and some ingenious definitions. Our … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 27,426 by Picaroon

Wed February 7, 2018 at 2:07 am by PeterO

The puzzle may be found ar https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27426.

Inquisitor 1527: Flirt by Schadenfreude

Thu February 8, 2018 at 12:02 pmWed February 7, 2018 at 12:01 am by kenmac

Flirt by Schadenfreude Solvers must complete the grid and highlight seven titles, a phrase common to each appearing only once. The wordplay yielded by each clue leads to the entered answer plus … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,775 by GAFF

Tue February 6, 2018 at 9:38 am by Grant Baynham

Dashed hard work for a Tuesday morning including one answer I’ve had to invent. But a fine anniversary puzzle from Gaff. Thanks to him.

Guardian 27,425 / Vlad

Tue February 6, 2018 at 1:57 pmTue February 6, 2018 at 9:26 am by Eileen

A most enjoyable challenge from Vlad this morning. A puzzle brimming with intricate constructions and well-hidden definitions, leading to some rather tricky bits of parsing and lots of smiles as the pennies dropped. … Read more >>

Independent 9,771 / Radian

Tue February 6, 2018 at 8:00 am by RatkojaRiku

Radian has set the Tuesday puzzle this week for our entertainment. I found this to be a medium-difficulty puzzle, which unfolds gradually around the theme of transport. The transport theme is referenced explicitly … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,774 – Hamilton

Mon February 5, 2018 at 12:34 pmMon February 5, 2018 at 11:07 am by Sil

I’ve solved a handful of Hamilton crosswords before but this is my first blog of one of his.
Nowadays anything can happen on an FT Monday!

Independent 9,770 by Kairos

Mon February 5, 2018 at 9:00 am by NealH

A themed puzzle which I found easy to start but extremely tough to finish.

Guardian Cryptic 27,424 by Chifonie

Mon February 5, 2018 at 8:06 am by manehi

A very nice mix of clues with strong surfaces, with particular favourites 12ac, 20ac, 1dn and 16dn. Thanks Chifonie.

Guardian Quiptic 951 Pan

Mon February 5, 2018 at 5:32 am by scchua

A fine example of a Quiptic from Pan. Thanks to Pan. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 7 Old knight in control of brotherhood (9) MONASTERY : [ O(abbrev. for “old”) + … Read more >>