2020 – Page 14 – Fifteensquared

Independent 10,629 by Serpent

Thu November 5, 2020 at 8:08 am by Bertandjoyce

We were delighted to find that we have a Serpent puzzle to blog today – we knew we were in for some fun…… …..and we weren’t disappointed. We normally expect a theme in … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,626 by NEO

Thu November 5, 2020 at 7:41 am by loonapick

Today's FT compiler is Neo. This was mostly straightforward, but the SE corner held me up for a bit until I at last saw APENNINES and the rest came fairly quickly thereafter. Among … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,616 by Mudd

Thu November 5, 2020 at 1:01 pmThu November 5, 2020 at 12:01 am by Pete Maclean

Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 24, 2020 This puzzle is highly unusual in that I strongly suspect that there are two typographical errors in it. The suspect clues are 10ac … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1458 – Cover Story by Gaston

Thu November 5, 2020 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“Clues are given in normal order, but there are five unclued thematic entries, one of which must have seven of its cells blacked out in the completed grid; the other four are all of a kind. Solvers must highlight 19 suitably placed cells in the completed grid, thus completing the COVER STORY. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

Financial Times 16,625 by BASILISK

Wed November 4, 2020 at 9:53 am by PeeDee

A super puzzle. Traditional in style without feeling old-fashioned. Thank you Basilisk. ACROSS 1 PHARMACY Drug supplier’s quick to limit damage (8) PACY (quick) contains (to limit) HARM (damage) 5 ESCAPE Flight … Read more >>

Guardian 28,282 – Maskarade

Wed November 4, 2020 at 8:55 am by Andrew

As the US election hangs scarily in the balance, a welcome diversion from Maskarade. A few bits of general knowledge required, and there are a couple of answers that are perhaps a bit … Read more >>

Independent 10,628 / Klingsor

Wed November 4, 2020 at 8:00 am by RatkojaRiku

It has been a while since it has fallen to me to blog a puzzle by Klingsor, who is a compiler whose work I am more used to encountering on a Thursday than … Read more >>

Inquisitor 1670: Hot and Cold? by Hedge-sparrow

Tue November 3, 2020 at 10:00 am by Hihoba

A third offering from Hedge-sparrow, a relative newcomer to the illustrious company of Inquisitor setters. The rubric read: One letter per grid row is not indicated by the wordplay of the clues. These … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,624 by LEONIDAS

Tue November 3, 2020 at 9:25 am by Grant Baynham

My first tussle with this setter, and a quite a tussle it was. I was shamefully slow out of the traps this morning, eventually completing the SE corner with hardly anything else showing. … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 28,281 by Qaos

Tue November 3, 2020 at 8:18 am by loonapick

A themed effort from Qaos this morning, My original preamble seems to have disappeared, so from memory… The theme of today’s puzzle is the author Stephen King, generally considered a horror writer, although … Read more >>

Independent 10627 / Gila

Tue November 3, 2020 at 9:08 amTue November 3, 2020 at 7:30 am by duncanshiell

Gila is a setter whose puzzles appear every two months or so in the daily Independent series. Following on from the Nina offering advice to electors in the US Presidential … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 1,094/Anto

Mon November 2, 2020 at 4:57 pmMon November 2, 2020 at 8:20 am by Pierre

Anto divides his time these days (or the editor does it for him) between the Quiptic and the daily Grauniad cryptic. This was a fine example of the former, with some pleasing anagrams … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,623 by MOO

Mon November 2, 2020 at 8:16 am by Teacow

Great start to the week from Moo. A very enjoyable solve. A few write ins, but mostly a neatly and cleverly clued puzzle. Required a bit of general knowledge to complete, but all … Read more >>

Independent 10,626/Alchemi

Mon November 2, 2020 at 4:59 pmMon November 2, 2020 at 7:45 am by Pierre

Alchemi is not a regular visitor to the Monday Indy slot, but he has turned up today with an intriguing puzzle for us. Maybe it’s because I only ever blog … Read more >>

Private Eye ( Cyclops / 688) Wealth Tests

Mon November 2, 2020 at 6:00 am by beermagnet

I thought I might get the whole thing done in one pass, but ran out of steam with 5 to go mainly in the top left. Just as well really. When I got … Read more >>