The Observer crossword from Aug 29, 2021
Month: September 2021
Guardian Genius 218 – Vlad
The words “Genius puzzle” and “Vlad” are a scary combination for a blogger, but this one turned out to be “only” moderate-to-hard on the Genius scale. My way in to the theme was … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,645/Shabbo
A pleasing and tractable puzzle to go with my Sunday morning coffee. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) removed … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,568 Plain
One of those puzzles…
Independent 10,888 by Tees (Saturday Puzzle 4 September 2021)
Some relatively gentle fun-and-games from Tees this week…
Guardian 28,536 / Maskarade
This was a good challenge for the Bank Holiday weekend from Maskarade, with an impressively constructed grid The theme of the puzzle is RING CYCLE, referring to Wagner’s four opera cycle, Der Ring … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28541 Nutmeg
Thanks to Nutmeg. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Drive bishop away from bumpiest ground (7) IMPETUS : “b”(abbrev. for “bishop” in chess notation) deleted from(away from) anagram of(… ground) “bumpiest“. … Read more >>
Independent 10,887 by Phi
It’s Phiday again
Financial Times 16,881 by BASILISK
An absolute treat from a very rare Friday setter. I thought the puzzle was serious, but surely you are joking Basilisk.
Financial Times 16,870 by Buccaneer
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 21, 2021
Independent 10,886 / Rodriguez
Rodriguez’s latest puzzle has been provided for our stimulation and entertainment this Thursday. I found this to be a highly enjoyable, medium-difficulty puzzle which put quite a few childish grins on my face … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,880 by CHALMIE
Chalmie provides this morning’s challenge.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1501 Alternative names by Kcit
An interesting preamble this week. Certainly not at all clear on first reading it – will it become clearer when the clues are solved? Clues are normal bar 1ac (no definition) and some … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,540 by Pasquale
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28540.
Financial Times 16,879 by MONK
A tricky puzzle from Monk, but a satisfying one to get to the bottom of. Thank you Monk.