February 2020 – Page 7 – Fifteensquared

Guardian Cryptic 28,047 by Pasquale

Tue February 4, 2020 at 2:55 am by PeterO

The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28047. Despite the Don’s predilection for less common words (only 21A ADAR SHENI was new to me – and the anagram wordplay, coupled with a vague definition, … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,390 by VELIA

Tue February 4, 2020 at 8:42 amMon February 3, 2020 at 10:57 am by Teacow

VELIA kicks off the week… Slight issue with the blogging tool today, so apologies for the delay. I really rather enjoyed this crossword, lots of great clues, and a nice level of difficulty. … Read more >>

Guardian 28,046 / Chifonie

Mon February 3, 2020 at 9:22 am by Eileen

Typically straightforward Monday fare, I think. Thanks to Chifonie. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 5 Workshop produces ornament I love (6) STUDIO STUD [ornament] + I O [I love] 6 … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 1055 Carpathian

Tue February 4, 2020 at 8:35 amMon February 3, 2020 at 8:21 am by scchua

Thanks to Carpathian for a good introductory crossword – quick and cryptic. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Rolling dice proven to show foresight (10) PROVIDENCE : Anagram of(Rolling) DICE PROVEN. … Read more >>

Independent 10,392/Vigo

Mon February 3, 2020 at 7:30 am by Pierre

Typically, the Monday Indy is a gentle start to the crosswording week in that paper. This was certainly that: not many anagrams, but plenty of easy-end charades to get you going. One I … Read more >>

Cyclops 669 – Disregard Witness

Mon February 3, 2020 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

Some fairly standard Cyclops-ean fare this fortnight – an enjoyable, if not too taxing solve… My solving copy doesn’t have any particular notes – I think I made fairly steady progress, although writing … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1,562 by Flitwick

Sun February 2, 2020 at 10:12 am by Kitty

The puzzle can be found here. Hello all. On a pleasingly palindromic date we have perfect Sunday fare from Flitwick, of which I particularly enjoyed FATHOM. I also noted the simple but very … Read more >>

Genius No 199 by Crucible

Sun March 1, 2020 at 6:27 amSun February 2, 2020 at 12:05 am by bridgesong

Another tough Genius this month, after last month’s relatively gentle puzzle. This puzzle was of a kind that we have seen before in the Genius series, with a number of solutions representing partners … Read more >>

Everyman 3,824

Sun February 2, 2020 at 12:01 am by PeterO

The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3824. Here we have the linked answers 8D ON THE LEVEL and 14D OFF THE WALL. Everyman also seems to be making almost a theme of &lit … Read more >>

Azed No. 2,485 Plain

Sun February 2, 2020 at 10:46 amSun February 2, 2020 at 12:00 am by PeeDee

I found this easier than usual. Azed has one of the most consistent levels of difficulty of any setter I know, so I attribute this quick solve to my being in a sharper … Read more >>

Independent 10,391 by Dalibor (Sat 01-Feb 2020)

Sat February 1, 2020 at 7:00 am by beermagnet

I found this pretty tough. Maybe Dalibor’s puzzles are getting tougher. His clueing is as sound as ever and clue surfaces continue to tell stories in little vignettes. I see from my notes … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 28,039 / Philistine

Sat February 1, 2020 at 8:43 amSat February 1, 2020 at 12:02 am by Eileen

A celebratory puzzle from Philistine to mark January 25th with a theme that would be hard to miss, I think. My late Scottish husband would have really loved this! I was enjoying it … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1418 – Accident of Birth by Chalicea

Sat February 1, 2020 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“Extra letters produced by the wordplay of every clue, when read in clue order, give a version of a misattributed quotation about an ACCIDENT OF BIRTH and the person to whom it is frequently misattributed. Solvers must resolve ten clashes in the grid by selecting what he is. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”