Independent 10,685 by Gila
An enjoyable and mostly easy puzzle. ACROSS 1 SEINFELD US sitcom character‘s life ends badly (8) (Life ends)* 5 GRADES Grammar school receiving excellent 5th place in Ofsted’s rankings (6) G{rammar} … Read more >>
Month: January 2021
Guardian Quiptic 1,104/Matilda
Matilda has produced a pleasing Quiptic this morning, which I think meets the brief – ‘for beginners, and those in a hurry’ – pretty well. For those in the former category, additional explanation … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,680 by HAMILTON
Hamilton’s distinctive style is often commented on as being a bit cavalier with “the rules”. Despite the odd questionable surface, I very much enjoyed this puzzle. There were a few write-ins but that’s … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,339 by Vulcan
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28339. I think Vulcan is now hitting the right notes for the Monday slot, after a shaky start as a Rufus tribute (and picking up on what … Read more >>
Everyman 3,873
The Everyman used to be excellent. Then its setter retired and it went through a short period of being rather unsatisfactory. Now it seems to be returning to its previous standard — harder, … Read more >>
Azed 2534
A plain competition puzzle from Azed this week This was a week where I solved more clues on the first pass through than I usually do. We had the usual … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,611 by Tees
A nice Sunday puzzle as usual from Tees, makes you think a bit but not so much as to spoil the digestion. Thank you Tees. ACROSS 8 SANSKRIT Language without appeal draws … Read more >>
Independent 10,684 by Tyrus
Happy new year – well it’s a new one anyway and hopefully we will make it happy. And a treat from Tyrus today. My luck is certainly in – rota wise. Not sure … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 28,332 by Vlad
I found this quite tricky. No show-stoppers, but a series of finicky wordplays to be untangled. Thank you Vlad. ACROSS 1, 13 FLAVOUR OF THE MONTH In season? (7,2,3,5) cryptic definition – … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,678 by BRADMAN
Happy New Year 2021 folks. My first blog for 2021 and a solid challenge from BRADMAN to get things going, thanks to whom for this intellectual treat. There may be some improvements possible … Read more >>
Independent 10683 / Phi
Phi gives us a good challenge to end the working week (if there is such a standard thing these days) The English language is fascinating with the variety of different … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,337 by Qaos
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28337. I’m back with Qaos again, which is no bad place to be. He uses many standard crossword devices, but generally makes them seem fresh.; and, of … Read more >>
Guardian 28,336 / Paul
A rather rudimentary blog today, I’m afraid. I stayed up till midnight to solve the puzzle but did so against a background of the shocking news from America, which made it quite difficult … Read more >>
Independent 10,682 by Serpent
Serpent provides an enjoyable mental workout today. I understand that there’s usually some sort of Nina or theme in Serpent’s puzzles, but I’ve failed to see one here (apart from the small group … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,677 by REDSHANK
A very good crossword that, with a little editing, could have made even better This crossword from Redshank had some brilliant clues in it – I particularly liked 14ac, 25 ac, 27ac and … Read more >>