Independent 10,558 by Phi
As I’m used to saying, a thoroughly efficient and workmanlike crossword from Phi. In one or two cases there are marginal criticisms and in one place the parsing defeats me, but hell, we … Read more >>
Year: 2020
Independent 10,557 by Monk
It’s been over six months since we last blogged a Monk puzzle – we were looking forward to this. We found this puzzle slightly less challenging than we had expected, but none the … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,554 by SLEUTH
A comparatively straightforward puzzle in this morning's FT Sleuth's latest offering is a solid puzzle which required very little general knowledge (apart, possibly, for HONOUR =ACE), and there were no particularly tricky diversions … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,211 by Qaos
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28211. Firstly, my apologies for missing my slot here last week; I was raring to go, but even if Hurricane Isaias had been downgraded to a Tropical … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,544 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 1, 2020 In this very divided grid, I started with 30 ac (RED GIANT), completed that bottom-right quadrant and then worked around each quadrant in … Read more >>
Independent 10,556 / Bluth
My apologies for the late posting. I am on the Belgian coast this week and internet access has been sporadic to say the least. Bluth, one of the latest additions to the Indy … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,553 by GOZO
An interesting themed puzzle, which I think will be accessible to most. Thank you Gozo. The theme is motor vehicle manufacture, makes and models. In real life Gozo is a bus enthusiast and … Read more >>
Guardian 28,210 / Pasquale
Pasquale provides today’s midweek challenge. As usual, we have a wide range of subject-matter – geography, politics, philosophy, theology, history, science, with a couple of popular musicians for good measure. Again, … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1658: More Than One Problem by Ifor
Ifor is a frequent setter, this is his 31st puzzle and his third this year. None of them is easy! Each down clue contains a letter that must travel up or down within … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,209 by Brummie
Thanks to Brummie for a fun puzzle – tricky in parts and with a slightly unhelpful grid… …but the fairly obvious chemistry theme made this a quick solve overall. Favourites were 15ac, 25ac, … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,552 by GURNEY
A satisfying Tuesday puzzle with some head-scratching parses and a couple of smiles, Done and dusted in two-and-a-half passes but none the less enjoyable for that. Thanks to Gurney. ACROSS 1 SOMERSAULT In … Read more >>
Independent 10555 / Wire
Wire provides the challenge today There were a lot of secret agent references in the clues and entries with all of the following words or names included somewhere in the … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,082/Hectence
Hectence is a long-serving Quiptic setter and always produces a puzzle that I want to recommend to beginners. I’m sure some of our newer solvers and contributors will have enjoyed (and, I daresay, … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,551 by ZAMORCA
A very enjoyable pangram from Zamorca this morning. I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzle – lots of witty surfaces and misdirections that kept me on my toes. 2D might be tricky for non-Brits (or … Read more >>
Independent 10,554/Tees
Did you know that (TEES AND PIERRE)* is EARNED RESPITE? For those of you who are wishing you had earned respite from the combo, I am sorry to disappoint. It’s nothing untoward – … Read more >>