February 2020 – Fifteensquared

Independent 10,415 by Eimi

February 29, 2020 at 9:59 amFebruary 29, 2020 at 9:19 am by twencelas

The last day of February brings a puzzle from Eimi. A special occasion indeed. Whilst not a difficult solve, exactly what I like about Eimi’s puzzles. Topical, requiring a bit of general knowledge … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 28,063 / Puck

February 29, 2020 at 12:02 am by Eileen

‘Special instructions’ [in this case, ‘Wordplay in 15 clues lacks something crucial in one form or another’] usually make me wince slightly – and especially when I’m blogging! As it happened, I fortunately … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1422 – 34 28 24 by Oxymoron

February 29, 2020 at 1:34 pmFebruary 29, 2020 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“In ‘34 28 24’, wordplay yielded by clues either includes an extra letter not entered in the grid (16) or ignores a letter in the entered answer (15). In clue order these letters spell out what must appear in the perimeter reading clockwise, starting at cell 31. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

Financial Times 16,412 by ALBERICH

February 28, 2020 at 11:31 am by Turbolegs

A delightful and difficult challenge from Alberich today. Classic pareto solve for me – last 20% of the clues took 80% of the solve time.

Guardian Cryptic 28,068 by Picaroon

February 28, 2020 at 2:52 am by PeterO

The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28068. An excellent puzzle from the devious Picaroon. For an uncomfortably long time I was staring at the grid with only four or five lights filled, but … Read more >>

Independent 10,414 by Phi

February 28, 2020 at 12:30 pmFebruary 28, 2020 at 1:25 am by John

Although there is one whose explanation defeats me, most of this crossword from Phi was easier than sometimes and of course was of the usual high standard. 8dn is beyond me I’m afraid. … Read more >>

Guardian 28,067 / Paul

February 27, 2020 at 11:08 amFebruary 27, 2020 at 10:35 am by Eileen

My apologies for the late blog: when the theme penny did finally drop, it entailed a bit of research! Paul sets today’s challenge – and a challenge it was! I woke up at … Read more >>

Independent 10,413 by Serpent

February 27, 2020 at 8:07 am by Bertandjoyce

Serpent gets the old grey matter stirring today. We always expect a bit of a challenge with Serpent’s puzzles and this was no exception, although we didn’t find it quite as tricky as … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,411 by NEO

February 27, 2020 at 7:27 am by loonapick

A beginners’ level puzzle from Neo in this morning’s FT.

Financial Times 16,401 by Goliath

February 27, 2020 at 10:42 amFebruary 27, 2020 at 12:01 am by Pete Maclean

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 15, 2020

Independent 10,412 / Punk

February 26, 2020 at 4:22 pm by RatkojaRiku

Somewhat unusually, Punk is occupying the Wednesday slot this week. Whatever the reason for it, it was a pleasant surprise to discover one of his puzzles, since I haven’t had the pleasure of … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,410 by REDSHANK

February 26, 2020 at 9:43 am by PeeDee

Another elegantly crafted puzzle from Redshank. Thank you. ACROSS 1 CANDELABRA Where tapers are balanced unsteadily by artist (10) anagram (unsteadily) of BALANCED then RA (Royal Academician, artist) 7 WEAR Conflict over East … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,066 by Brummie

February 26, 2020 at 7:37 amFebruary 26, 2020 at 1:27 am by manehi

Solved this from the outside in, with the longer clues going quite quickly one after another. Favourites were 16ac, 2dn, 4dn, 9dn, and 23dn. Thanks to Brummie.

Inquisitor 1634: Desperation by Kruger

February 25, 2020 at 10:00 am by Hihoba

Well, I found this pretty taxing, Kruger. The general theme became clear quite quickly with 24 across having only one possibility once a reasonable number of answers had been filled in. However, parsing … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,409 by FLIMSY

February 25, 2020 at 9:10 am by Grant Baynham

All relatively straightforward, as is traditional for a Tuesday FT, but…