Cyclops seems to be a bit down-in-the-dumps this fortnight…
Month: February 2023
Everyman 3,981/5 February
Another pleasing puzzle from Everyman for our Sunday entertainment, with a good variety of eminently gettable GK required for the solve and the usual trademark solutions on display. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1720 Hippogryph
Thank you to Hippogryph. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 8/9. So, these tenors transformed Madchester band (3,5,5) THE STONE ROSES : Anagram of(… transformed) SO, THESE TENORS. 10. Fundamentally, rock and … Read more >>
Independent No. 11,337 by Bluth
Good morning solvers. Firstly, a big thank you to mc_rapper67 for passing on his Saturday Indy slot to me. It’s a very big pair of metaphorical shoes to fill.
Thanks to Bluth for this lovely puzzle. Typically for them there’s a few quite oblique cryptic references to navigate, and one that I still can’t convincingly parse. Overall though, there was enough to make it a challenge, but still pleasant enough for a bleary-eyed Saturday morning.
Definition (surface) words are underlined in the clues.
Guardian Prize 28,985 by Picaroon
A characteristically clever puzzle from Picaroon.
Financial Times 17,324 by Rosa Klebb
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 4, 2023
Independent 11,336 / Phi
Phi has provided the last in this week’s string of mid-week puzzles. I found this to be towards the harder end of the Indy spectrum, and although I think that I have successfully … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28990 Brendan
Thank you to Brrendan. Definitions are underlined in the clues. The theme is cardinals and ordinals, found in clues and solutions. Across 8. Church dignitary that’s opposed to 15 (8) CARDINAL : Double … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,329 by STEERPIKE
A nice gentle workout dished out by STEERPIKE this Friday.
Financial Times 17,328 by GUY
Guy provides this morning's FT challenge.
Independent 11335 / Rodriguez
Rodriguez provides the challenge today. Rodriguez is a setter I have found quite difficult in the past, but this puzzle seemed to sit towards the gentler end of the spectrum. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,989 by Qaos
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28989.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1575 – Follow The Instructions By Kcit
As I may have mentioned before, my natural instinct on seeing a ‘carte blanche’ used to be to avert my eyes and walk in the other direction to avoid it…but I have gradually persuaded myself that I must at least try them…and needs must when one falls on my blogging slot!
Guardian 28,988 / Brummie
Brummie provides an interesting and enjoyable mid-week challenge. Is there or is there not a theme? – that is always the question with a Brummie puzzle. Here we have an ingenious one which … Read more >>
Independent 11,334 by Filbert
Filbert provides our challenge today.