“Several answers are shorter than the available grid length and therefore must be entered with blank cells. In 16 clues, the wordplay leads to the answer with one (and in one case, two) letters short. These suggest what must fill the unclued down entries, forming new words and signifying the FINAL RESTING PLACE. A symmetrical thematic string must be discovered (see 37, unclued) and naturally must move within the completed grid. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Year: 2020
Guardian 28,020 / Pasquale
Another no-show by the scheduled blogger so here is a very quick analysis of the clues (I should have been doing other things this afternoon). . . Across 1 Servant attending queen, maybe … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,364 by CHALMIE
A typical CHALMIE-challenge this Friday. Thanks CHALMIE!
Independent 10,366 by Phi
When one has solved a Phi clue the answer is so obvious that one wonders where the difficulty lay. Yet there was difficulty, to be sure. Perhaps it’s because, as Carol Vorderman used … Read more >>
Guardian 28,010 / Maskarade
This was the bumper Guardian Christmas crossword by Maskarade, with a theme of place names around Great Britain. We thought this was a good theme, and an impressive grid fill – it was … Read more >>
Guardian 28,019 – Chifonie
Perhaps the day after a bank holiday is like a Monday, because this had a very Mondayish (or even Quiptic-ish) feel, with very straightforward clueing throughout. Thanks to Chifonie. … Read more >>
Independent 10,365 by Monk
Happy New Year to all at fifteensquared!
It’s been almost 6 months since we last blogged a Monk puzzle, so we were delighted to find one of his puzzles as our first blog of the new decade.
Financial Times 16,363 by REDSHANK
Redshank provides this morning’s FT puzzle.
Independent 10,364 / Eccles
Eccles has provided our first cryptic challenge of 2020, an occasion which is suitably marked at 18. I found this to be a standard, medium-difficulty puzzle, as one might expect to appear in … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,018 by Philistine
Ever think you’re missing something?
Inquisitor index: 2020
Puzzles 1628 – 1679
Financial Times Christmas Crossword 2019 by Gozo
As usual at Christmas, the FT gives us an expanded (23×23) crossword set by Gozo involving some extra puzzle. This year’s extra puzzle, spotting the names of Christmas carols, seemed easier than most … Read more >>