A challenging puzzle but a very enjoyable one. Thank you Paul.
Year: 2020
Financial Times 16,633 by WANDERER
A tricky treat from WANDERER this Friday. Thanks WANDERER for a delectable challenge. FF: 9 DD: 9 ACROSS 1 MOCK HEROIC Make fun of rich Old Etonian leader, waving in burlesque style (4-6) … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,290 by Paul
A slow and challenging solve, with quite a few parsings puzzled out after the grid had been filled. Favourites were 6ac, 27ac, 1dn, and 18dn. Thanks to Paul. ACROSS 1 QUADRUPLE As … Read more >>
Independent 10636 / Phi
As ever, we have a puzzle from Phi on a Friday. A good crossword today, even with a few words that are not that common in everyday vocabulary. QUIETUS (11a) … Read more >>
Guardian 28,289 – Imogen
Quite a tough one today, but it all came out satisfyingly in the end, with a few tricky parsings on the way. Thanks to Imogen. Across 1. … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,632 by REDSHANK
A fine puzzle this morning from Redshank. There was a lot to like in this morning’s crossword, especially 11dn and 19ac, which I hope I have explained properly in the blog below. I … Read more >>
Independent 10,635 by Atrica
Hard work, but on the whole very pleasing. There were lots of nice clues, but I came unstuck in the SE corner; some of the clues there were terribly hard. Otherwise I enjoyed … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1459: Winning by Ifor
Be careful what you wish for! A couple of EV blogs ago, during ‘gentle September’, I pondered that there might soon be a ‘backlash’ in the form of an ‘impenetrable Ifor’ or a ‘horrible Harribobs’…and along one duly came!
Financial Times 16,622 by Bradman
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 31, 2020 As usual with Bradman, this puzzle gave me some challenges and prompted several look-ups. There are at least two answers that I did … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,631 by MONK
Great puzzle as always from Monk. Thank you. I can see MYSTERES DES VOIX down the sides of the grid. This reminds me of the fabulous Msyteres des Voix Bulgares albums of Bulgarian … Read more >>
Independent 10,634 by Eccles
We look forward to blogging on a Wednesday as we often have an Eccles puzzle. Joyce laughed as she entered the solution for 3d because it reminded her of her childhood. She used … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,288 by Picaroon
Some general knowledge required to complete Picaroon's puzzle today. This was a "slow burner" for me despite seeing 1ac immediately, even if the definition (left winger) could be the topic of some discussion … Read more >>
Independent 10,633 / Bluth
This is the second time that it has fallen to me to blog a puzzle by Bluth, and once again I found it challenging and entertaining in equal measure. As with my first … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1671: Double Take by Encota
Double Take by Encota Four unclued thematic entries must be completed. Clue numbers must not be entered initially. Nine clues are common to each pane and must be entered in the same place … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,630 by JASON
Not-entirely-straightforward Tuesday offering from this morning's setter. The majority went in smoothly enough, but the endgame involved mopping up a number of tricksy 4-letter words which I have to admit provoked a few … Read more >>