“Two unclued entries, to be completed by solvers, are the site of a LEVEL CROSSING and an (incomplete) inscription commemorating it. Seven answers require a non-standard method of entry (numbers in brackets after clues refer to entry lengths). The missing part of the inscription is represented by modifications applied to six other answers prior to entry (three each of two types). Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; 40 and 1 down are in Collins.”
Month: January 2021
Financial Times 16,694 by GOZO
An entertaining puzzle from Gozo. Obscure/specialist knowledge is not required today.
Independent 10,699 / Eccles
Eccles has provided a delightful puzzle to entertain us this Wednesday. This has been my favourite puzzle of 2021 so far in terms of entertainment value, for which my thanks go to Eccles. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,353 by Qaos
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28353. There is a theme – of course, it’s Qaos – but it was entirely unknown to me, until I discovered it on the Qaos website. It … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1682: Switch by Charybdis
First, congratulations to Charybdis, one of my favourite setters, for his prescience in setting a clue concerning K2 which was in the news on the very day that it was published! 8D refers … Read more >>
Guardian 28,352 / Vlad
Vlad sets the challenge this morning, with a puzzle full of typically ingenious clues and witty surfaces, making for a most enjoyable solve. My favourites were 1,15, 11ac, 5dn, 7dn, 12dn and the … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,693 by SLEUTH
Tougher than I first thought, with some cryptic definitions which gave pause… A few enigmatic meanings got the old grey matter working today, in a rather tougher Tuesday solve than usual. Or perhaps … Read more >>
Independent 10698 / Wire
Wire provides a typical Tuesday Independent crossword Tuesday is usually a theme day and today clearly focused on the other side of the world with many references to Australia or Australian culture. Even … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,692 by PETO
Good start to the week from Peto.
Guardian Quiptic 1,106/Anto
This offering from Anto did not appear on the Grauniad website till mid morning, so I am afraid because of work commitments I have not been able to write and post a blog … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,351 by Vulcan
A simple and enjoyable puzzle to start the week – I particularly liked 9ac, 10ac, 24ac, and 7dn. Many thanks to Vulcan
Independent 10,697/Tees
Tees is a top setter, but you wouldn’t set your calendar by him. He’s not knocked Phi off his Friday perch yet, but I think we’ve seen him every other weekday in the … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,613/Peter
Another Sunday morning Peter ‘n’ Pierre show. A tractable puzzle just right for the IoS slot, I thought. Of particular note (for me at least) were a namecheck and a bird. Life is … Read more >>
Everyman 3,875
The Observer crossword from Jan 17, 2021 A fine crossword that we enjoyed just a bit more than the one from the week before. Everyman’s puzzles may somewhat vary in difficulty and tightness … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,536 Plain
My weekly guided tour through the dictionary. Thank you Azed.