Guardian 28,273 / Puck
This was a typically clever and amusing puzzle from Puck. I found some of the parsing here quite tricky to work out, but it was definitely satisfying to do so. Thanks, Puck! There’s … Read more >>
Month: October 2020
Independent 10,625 by Wire
As October reaches its conclusion, a puzzle from Wire. A mini horror theme in the clues and some entries – marking Halloween, I suspect. Oh that the day itself was so understated. Was … Read more >>
Independent 10,624 by Phi
Another week goes by and another Phi to solve. As we are now in a Tier 3 area, solving the latest crossword becomes even more of an event. Thanks Phi for the puzzle. … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,621 by WANDERER
A twisted devious challenge from WANDERER, which was a delight to grapple with. A nina running along the sides with the 2 H’s in the centre of the grid adding a nice touch. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,278 by Shed
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28278. Quite a hard crossword for a time when changes of daylight savings time robs me of an hour’s worth of solving, with a couple of definitely … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1457: A Clear Law by Vismut
Autumnal October and Vismut presents a puzzle with only 9 non standard clues. Then a theme to be found based on the missing letters. An associated entry to this to be written below … Read more >>
Independent 10,623 / Hob
Hob has provided us with something of a teaser to exercise the grey matter this Thursday. It is a while since I have solved or blogged a crossword by Hob, so perhaps I … Read more >>
Guardian 28,277 / Paul
A fairly tough challenge from Paul this morning, especially in the parsing department. This was another middle-of-the-night solve for me, with the parsing left until the morning, in the hope that light would … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,620 by JULIUS
Julius provides this morning’s challenge in the FT. I started slowly this morning, with my first pass of the across clues giving me very little, but I soon got into my stride and … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,610 by Chalmie
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 17, 2020 An entertaining puzzle from Chalmie with the theme of the works of Edgar Allan Poe. This author appears frequently in crosswords but I … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,619 by GOZO
A tricky one from Gozo. You will need a both a cryptic mindset and good general knowledge to solve this unaided. Thank you Gozo. The grid has 10 fifteen-letter lights, not an easy … Read more >>
Independent 10622 / Eccles
Eccles on Wednesday is a regular two-weekly occurrence at the moment. As usual, Eccles gives us smooth surfaces to his clues as well as providing some interesting wordplay devices We … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,276 by Brendan
A fun puzzle – I particularly liked 9ac, 21ac, 22ac, 2dn, 18dn, and 22dn. Thanks to Brendan. …hard to miss the theme around Shakespeare’s Othello, with extra links to theatre more generally and … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1669: Glittering Career by Nimrod
Nimrod is also the editor of the Inquisitor series and tends to set challenging crosswords, so this was always likely to be a difficult solving experience. The preamble stated: that … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,618 by FALCON
Solid Tuesday breakfast fare. Tasty and not too meaty. Thanks, Falcon. ACROSS 9 END Close finish (3) Double def. Feels a bit, er, close. 10 CONSOLIDATE Strengthen vulnerable citadel soon (11) … Read more >>