Independent 10,580 / Tees
Tees has set this week’s Wednesday challenge. I found this puzzle to be an entertaining solve that was easy-to-medium in terms of difficulty – perfect for a busy mid-week day! My favourites today … Read more >>
Month: September 2020
Guardian Cryptic 28,234 by Qaos
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28234. I seem to be cornering Qaos puzzles, which is OK by me. As for a theme (is is Qaos, after all), it is announced at 11A … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1662: The Return of Ulysses by Kruger
Wordplay in each clue yields an extra letter not to be entered in the grid. Those from across clues explain the puzzle’s title and source of the theme; solvers must complete the unclued … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,576 by FALCON
A solid effort from Falcon this morning and one which took me longer than necessary. Mostly because I'd convinced myself of PAWN SHOP for 4, which dropped anchor in the top right until … Read more >>
Guardian 28,233 / Nutmeg
A typically elegant and witty puzzle from Nutmeg today. Many thanks to her for the fun. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 First chapter on one subject (5) TOPIC TOP (first) … Read more >>
Independent 10579 / Kairos
Kairos is a setter that I don’t think I have blogged before Kairos seems to favour ‘double definition’ clues. I counted five of these in this puzzle. The wordplay constructions … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,086/Matilda
As always, I enjoyed solving and blogging this offering from Matilda. One or two devices that newer solvers might have been unfamiliar with, but learning new stuff is part of the enjoyment, no? … Read more >>
Independent 10,578 by Harold
A challenging puzzle from newish compiler Harold. This wasn't entirely my cup of tea with quite a lot of slightly dodgy CDs and DDs but there were some interesting clues that required quite … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,575 by ZAMORCA
Very enjoyable pangram from Zamorca. I found this morning’s puzzle thoroughly enjoyable – not overly challenging, but kept me on my toes throughout. Very neat and clear clues with some excellent surfaces. First … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,232 by Vulcan
A little tricky for a Monday, and good fun – my favourites were 11ac, 24ac, 5dn, 20dn, and 21dn. Thanks to Vulcan for the puzzle. ACROSS 1 MEAN BUSINESS Perform decisively in shabby … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 684) Global Guidance
Another diverting solve from our one-eyed friend. Solving proceeded in a stuttering manner with about half done at the end of the first pass with solutions entered all over the grid so the … Read more >>
Everyman 3,855
The Observer crossword from 30 Aug, 2020. Perhaps it is just me but I found this puzzle a bit harder than usual. The construction of some clues (like 11ac and 24ac) may be … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,593/Tees
Another Tees ‘n’ Pierre show for your Sunday delectation and delight (well, the Tees bit, anyway …) Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 206 — Qaos
The instruction “the wordplay in each clue leads to a solution where two letters require an elementary substitution before entry in the grid” may have been intended as cryptic , but I guessed … Read more >>
Azed 2516
A plain puzzle from Azed this week The grid contains the usual collection of less common words clued very precisely. I liked the linked clues at 29 and 31 down … Read more >>