Never knowingly undersolved
A very enjoyable solve… …with many clues and surfaces revolving around 8,9,10ac MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST. Favourites were 11ac, 17ac, 4dn, 16dn, and 18dn. Not sure how to parse 7dn. Thanks to Brendan. ACROSS … Read more >>
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 6, 2020 This strikes me as an especially good but rather atypical Mudd. Good especially for its two &Lits, 1ac (PRAISE) and 16dn (VINDALOO). Atypical … Read more >>
Another fun puzzle, sorry the blog is late again! Thanks Monk. I can see SHANGHAI TWENTIES MONKS in the grid. Anyone know what that is about? ACROSS 9 TWO Following retirement, anything in … Read more >>
Tees has provided our mid-week cruciverbal entertainment this week. I found this one quite challenging from the point of view of vocabulary, with the entries at 1A, 1D, 4 and 15 all being … Read more >>
I think this is Matilda’s second appearance in the Cryptic slot, after a distinguished career as a Quiptic setter. I was the blogger of her first Cryptic, and remarked then that I found … Read more >>
A fast solve but with some very pleasing and innovative surfaces. My first MOO, I think, and it’s been a pleasure. Thanks to her or him. ACROSS 1 SLAUGHTER Execute composition of Elgar … Read more >>
A Nimrod puzzle from our esteemed Editor, so not likely to be a pushover! The complicated rubric read: The final grid represents an early scene in a work of fiction involving three individuals, … Read more >>
A classic Brummie puzzle? Certainly, the theme was classic(al). At least eight of the answers were the names of symphonies, although technically I think the Alpine is a symphony in name only. I … Read more >>
It’s a Tuesday so there is going to be some sort of theme. As it’s a Serpent puzzle it is likely to be a challenging solve as well. Serpent certainly … Read more >>
I very much enjoyed this morning’s challenge from Zamorca. The right level of not-too-easy. Zamorca has put together some admirably witty clues. Some of my favourites include 5a (quiet diplomacy), 19a (celebrity status), … Read more >>
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 definitions … Read more >>
I've not come across Harold before and I found this a strange mixture of very easy clues and clues that I really struggled with. 3D was one of those annoying CD type clues … Read more >>
Solving kicked of quickly with 1A proving to be a write-in for me. The rest of the puzzle wasn’t so easy, only a couple of others cold solved, most others gettable with 1 … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28160. Vulcan’s usual plethora of CDs and DDs, one of each that I thought particularly successful (the long ones, 2D LABOUR CANDIDATE and 7D LOCH NESS MONSTER). … Read more >>
I’m having more interaction with Tees than I am with my own children these days. Once again one of his puzzles arrives on my watch, which is no great hardship for me – … Read more >>