Guardian Prize 28,267 by Paul
A biscuit-themed puzzle from Paul this week. In his email to subscribers, Paul mentioned that this puzzle was inspired by the actions of a three-year old – “crumbs, that was embarrassing”: presumably one … Read more >>
Year: 2020
Independent 10,618 / Phi
Phi-day is upon us once again, and here he is with his latest offering. I found this to be a medium-difficulty Phi puzzle, with more obscure vocabulary than is perhaps customary. 14 and … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28272 Vlad
Thanks to Vlad for this puzzle, which contains some topical references. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Plant rejected a kind of strike after one fellow sacked (7) FUCHSIA : Reversal … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,615 by GOLIATH
A super fun puzzle from the giant this Friday. Thanks Goliath!! FF: 10 DD : 9 ACROSS 1, 7 BACHELOR OF ARTS A degree of role reversal by composer: nothing should precede wind … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,614 by JASON
Jason provides this morning's FT crossword. A first pass of the across clues yielded a handful of entries, enough to make the down clues very straightforward. Getting the two long answers then meant … Read more >>
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 >>
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 >>