“Nine clues consist of jokes that might be found in CRACKERS; the grid entry in each case is the punchline. In 40 clues, the wordplay leads to the answer plus an additional letter not to be entered in the grid; in clue order these give another joke, the punchline to which (13 letters) must be highlighted. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Year: 2018
Independent 9745 / Serpent
Another pleasing puzzle today from Old Snake Hips (as Hoskins calls Serpent). We’ve blogged the last two Serpent offerings so he may be getting a bit fed up with us. However, we are … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,393 / Paul
I suspect this is the Paul puzzle which appeared on line for a while by mistake on the day Rufus’ retirement was announced – in which case, perhaps some of you did it … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,748 by BRADMAN
My first blog for 2018 is from a familiar setter to feature on Fridays. Thanks Bradman for a gentle workout to get the year started.
Independent 9,744 by Phi
Sorry, rather late again. I spent too much time in the small hours listening to the cricket and as a result it was suddenly 8.25.
The usual nice crossword from Phi. Uncontroversial I think, and all seemed to be easy enough, at any rate in retrospect (although I realised afterwards that I’d forgotten to do that nine holes answer, which is what it almost certainly was although I’d never heard of it). But this is not to say that at the time of solving it wasn’t as much of a challenge as it always is.
Guardian 27,398 – Vlad
As seems to happen regularly, Vlad softened me up with a few easy clues, but left me struggling afterwards. Still, I got there in the end, and it all looks perfectly reasonable in … Read more >>
Guardian 27,397 / Paul
An entertaining puzzle from Paul to brighten a very dull morning. A medley of some easy charades [8ac and 13dn] and insertions [9ac and 5dn] and some very neatly crafted clues [15ac 14dn and … Read more >>
Independent 9743 / Tees
A really good challenge from Tees today. All very sound clues – we particularly liked 17ac and 29ac for their neat surfaces. Across 9 21’s 23 for 14 animal’s resting-place? (3,6) … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,747 by HAMILTON
The puzzle can be found here.
Guardian 27,388 / Maskarade
This was the bumper double-grid Christmas crossword from Maskerade. Unfortunately, we found this very hard, and not terribly enjoyable as result – it’ll be interesting to find out what the rest of you … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,740 Christmas Crossword by Gozo
As usual at this season, we have a themed Christmas Crossword set by Gozo. And unusually, if I remember correctly, we have a Christmas Crossword with a number. The themes are famous cats … Read more >>
Independent 9,742 / Hoskins
Hoskins has been quite prolific of late and has provided this first Wednesday challenge of 2018. I found this to be a medium-difficulty puzzle, less taxing than some of Hoskins’ recent offerings. My … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,746 by AARDVARK
An excellent puzzle. Thank you Aardvark.
Guardian Cryptic 27,396 by Nutmeg
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27396.
Inquisitor 1522: Joy by Artix
This may sound sad, but I’m starting to write this on Christmas morning. My daughter is asleep in the next room, having been woken in Richmond by planes coming in to Heathrow at … Read more >>