Financial Times 16,502 by Alberich
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 13, 2020 I had a scare when I first went to download this puzzle from the FT’s website. It informed me that its crosswords were … Read more >>
Year: 2020
The demise of Enigmatic Variations
It would appear that The Telegraph intends to discontinue the Enigmatic Variations series of barred cryptic puzzles in August. We must try to prevent this from happening so please read the new article … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,511 by JULIUS
A great puzzle! Hard going at first until I twigged the theme, then it all fell into place. Thank you Julius The undefined answers are all writers of thrillers. ACROSS 1 COLIN DEXTER … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,168 by Puck
A toughie from Puck provides some midweek entertainment, but not one for those who don’t like toilet humour. Puck is at his naughty best here with a few clues that rely on a … Read more >>
Independent 10,514 by Eccles
Eccles again – we are more than pleased! As we always say, a fun Wednesday solve – just the job for the middle of yet another lockdown week ACROSS 1 Tenor joins composer for … Read more >>
Independent 10,513 / Radian
Radian has provided today’s puzzle for our intellectual stimulation and general entertainment. It is quite a while since it fell to me to blog one of his puzzles. Today is Tuesday, so there … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1651: Odd Situations by Kruger
Odd Situations by Kruger In several clues the definition contains a single letter misprint. The correct letters, in clue order, cryptically suggest how the unclued entries should be completed. Nice short preamble and, … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,510 by GURNEY
Not too demanding a puzzle from Gurney,,, but solid clueing and the odd flash of wit. No theme that I can see, although the middle row of unches, played slowly, make a nice, … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,167 by Qaos
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28167. It’s Qaos, so there must surely be a theme; I could not spot it without a hint from his website – and it turns out that … Read more >>
Quiptic 1075 Hectence
Thanks to Hectence. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 7 Hard-working policeman’s fired, having concealed information (8) DILIGENT : DI(abbrev. for “Detective Inspector”, a quite senior policeman) + LIT(fired/set on fire) containing(having … Read more >>
Independent 10,512 by Tees
Tees makes his regular appearance in the Monday slot, this time with (I thought) a tougher puzzle than usual. A few references might be unfamiliar to some readers. I wasn’t entirely convinced by … Read more >>
Guardian 28,166 / Pan
It’s me again: it’s been one of those weekends when the daily-advancing weekday schedule coincides with my monthly Saturday blog slot. Pan sets a bit more of a challenge to start the week, … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,509 by SLORMGORM
An excellent start to the week from SLORMGORM… A very enjoyable solve with some great clues. 3d was particularly neat, as was 21a, and the triple definition in 12a made up a lovely … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,582 by Nitsy
The puzzle can be found here. Hi all, I hope you are well. I always enjoy puzzles by Nitsy but, as seems to be the case a lot recently, I can’t think … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,505 Plain
A relatively straightforward plain puzzle this week. It actually took me less time to solve this puzzle than it did to solve the previous day’s prize puzzle in The Guardian (by Enigmatist), but … Read more >>