Guardian 28,986 – Anto
A generally easy Monday puzzle, with some occasional traps due to this setter’s rather idiosyncratic style. Thanks to Anto. Across 7 DROP BACK Dribble by defender and lose position (4,4)DROP (a dribble) … Read more >>
Andrew
Guardian 28,984 – Vlad
Vlad’s name on a puzzle is usually a sign of a tough puzzle ahead, and so it was here, though with a few gentler clues to get us going. I think one clue … Read more >>
Guardian 28,977 – Fed
An entertaining puzzle from Fed today, with a lot of easier clues, but a few that got me thinking, and a couple of unfamiliar terms. Thanks to Fed. Across 9 LAPLANDER Northerner‘s … Read more >>
Guardian 28,970 – Pangakupu
A nice puzzle with some elegant clueing. Thanks to Pangakupu. I noticed that the left and right columns contained the letters KORIPO MARAMA, which I see means bad weather in the Māori language. … Read more >>
Azed 2638
Thanks to Azed Across 1 SPRINGAL Drinks knocked back, including round, in early youth (8)RING (round) in reverse of LAPS – “early” means it’s an archaic word 7 IDLE Eric, maybe, not … Read more >>
Guardian 28,963 – Brummie
An enjoyable puzzle with not too many holdups, though one clue has got its parts mixed up. Thanks to Brummie. Brummie’s puzzles often have a ghost theme, but if there’s one here I … Read more >>
Guardian 28,956 – Vulcan
A nice straightforward set of clues to ease us into 2023. Thanks to Vulcan. (I’m going to be out all day so will be unable to respond to comments or correct errors till … Read more >>
Guardian 28,954 – Pasquale
A typically well-crafted puzzle from Pasquale, with a couple of nice “anagram &lit” clues. Thanks to Pasquale, and also to all readers and commenters: see you in 2023. Across 1 PRACTICE It … Read more >>
Guardian 28,947 – Paul
Phew, that was hard work. It took me a long time to get going with this, even after solving the crucial 10 across. Thanks to Paul. After getting 10a I was wondering what … Read more >>
Guardian 28,940 – Tramp
A fun puzzle from Tramp, with some ingenious clueing and a couple of his trademark long anagrams. Thanks to Tramp. Across 1 FATHER FIGURE Leading male with dad bod (6,6)FATHER (dad) + … Read more >>
Guardian 28,933 – Qaos
Quite a tricky one this morning, with a couple of clues that I can’t parse to my satisfaction. Both now resolved: see comments. Thanks to Qaos. And of course there is a theme: … Read more >>
Azed 2633
A higher-than-usual proportion of unfamiliar words in this one, I think, which tends to increase the difficulty. A satisfying challenge as always – thanks to Azed. Across 1 U-SHAPED Scottish expert bagging … Read more >>
Guardian 28,926 – Carpathian
Carpathian is originally, and still more often seen as, a setter of the Quiptic, and this could easily have fitted in that slot. Still, a nicely-constructed puzzle, suitable for those that like a … Read more >>
Guardian 28,924 – Philistine
I made rather heavy weather of this, probably not helped by having a head full of cold, but it all seems perfectly reasonable in retrospect. Thanks to Philistine. Across 1 JUST SO … Read more >>
Guardian 28,917 – Picaroon
Picaroon never disappoints, and here’s another great example of his work. There are several well-concealed definitions, which I particularly liked. Thanks to Picaroon (whose alter ego Buccaneer is today’s FT setter). Across … Read more >>