Independent 10617 / Bluth
I have solved all Bluth’s puzzles in the Independent since his appearance in April, but this is the first one I have blogged. There was an interesting use of words … Read more >>
Month: October 2020
Guardian Cryptic 28,271 by Tramp
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28271. This gives me the impression of an exercise in envelopes, very well varied, with a few double definitions thrown in (of course, it is actually more … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1456: Villains by Stick Insect
Hi all, and thanks to Stick Insect for a lovely puzzle. The preamble reads: All answers are modified before entry into the grid to agree with a statement by some VILLAINS, which … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,604 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 10, 2020 I enjoyed this much more than the last couple of Mudds. My favourite clues are 10ac (COASTER), 14dn (NATTERJACK), 17dn (ALGERIANS) and 23dn … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,613 by AARDVARK
Trickier than usual from Aardvark, but enjoyable as always. Thank you Aardvark. There must be at least one pangram in the grid, are there any letter-counters out there who would like to work … Read more >>
Guardian 28,270 / Qaos
It’s Qaos providing the mid-week entertainment, with an enjoyable and, as usual, themed puzzle. Regarding the theme, I was led for a short while up the garden path. For once, I thought to … Read more >>
Independent 10,616 by Tees
When I knew whose crossword I was going to be blogging the preamble was forming in my mind: as Tees has become more frequent he has become easier; very good, but quite gentle. … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1668: Q by Vismut
Fifth puzzle from Vismut here. Very short title, gives nothing away. Grid not quite symmetric – middle row. Preamble: Extra letters generated by the wordplay of 25 clues, not to be entered, … Read more >>
Financial Times 16612 Hamilton
Thank you to Hamilton. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 7, 8. How can spitting feathers make one miserable? (4,2,3,5) DOWN IN THE MOUTH : Cryptic defn: Reference to literally having feathers/down … Read more >>
Independent 10,615 by Knut
We always look forward to a Tuesday Knut puzzle to find out which topical issue he is highlighting…. … but we have to say that we were surprised by the overtly political theme … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,269 by Brummie
An enjoyable puzzle – I particularly liked 8ac, 13ac, 15/20ac, 1dn, 3dn, and 4dn. Many thanks to Brummie. …there are [at least] some linked grid entries – FORD MADOX FORD wrote [The] GOOD … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,092/Hectence
The usual sound and pleasing Quiptic from Hectence this morning, but with a rather unusual feature. Which is that there are no full anagrams in the puzzle. Some beginners (and … Read more >>
Independent 10,614 by Shabbo
I found this a mixture of quite easy and quite tough clues. There were a few more of the CD type, which I'm not normally a fan of. However, on this occasion, I … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,611 by SLORMGORM
As ever, a super puzzle from Slormgorm. Quite a few well-composed anagram clues this morning. 16a is oft-seen, but oh well – a goodie in my book. Firm favourites today include 20a (ah, … Read more >>
Guardian 28,268 – Vulcan
A typical collection of mostly straightforward clues from Vulcan, with just a couple of the NE corner that held me up at the end. Quite light on the cryptic definitions, which is fine … Read more >>