Guardian 29,046 – Jack
Jack, aka Serpent of the Independent and Basilisk of the FT, has set a few Genius puzzles, but I think this is his first appearance in the Cryptic slot. Very welcome too, as … Read more >>
Andrew
Guardian 29,044 – Paul
I found this very hard, and was looking at an almost blank grid for what felt like ages. As often happens in such cases, almost everything seems reasonably straightforward in retrospect. Thanks to … Read more >>
Azed 2650
Yet another masterclass in the setter’s art. Thanks to Azed. Across 1 AMBUSCADO American rotter appearing in pulpit, delivering surprise attack (9)US CAD in AMBO (a type of pulpit). I originally had … Read more >>
Guardian 29,037 – Vlad
I made a very slow start on this, and it was tough going all the way, with some chewy parsings that took some working out. Happy to have avoided a total impalement – … Read more >>
Guardian 29,030 – Picaroon
I found this on the easy side, but, as always with this setter, very enjoyable. Thanks to Picaroon. (Thanks to those who expressed concern and good wishes about my “family emergency” last week. … Read more >>
Guardian 29,023 – Imogen
This seemed quite impenetrable at first, and didn’t get much easier even with some answers entered. But I think I managed to work it all out in the end. Thanks to Imogen. (Please … Read more >>
Guardian 29,016 – Vulcan
A very quick solve for me today – in fact almost a complete write-in. Thanks to Vulcan. Across 8 ZERO-RATE Assess as having no VAT to pay, nothing to reprove (4-4)ZERO (nothing) … Read more >>
Guardian 29,014 – Tramp
Friday fun from Tramp, with some tricky parsings in places. Thanks to Tramp. A bit of a royal theme in the clues, with a famous couple getting a few mentions. I like the … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 236 – Pangakupu
Pangakupu, alias Phi of the Independent, is a fairly recent addition to the Guardian stable: this is his third Genius puzzle. It was apparent that the letter counts in some clues didn’t match … Read more >>
Guardian 29,007 – Pasquale
A bit of a surprise to see Pasquale again just over two weeks after I blogged his previous puzzle, but still very welcome. As usual with this this setter, there are a couple … Read more >>
Azed 2644
Sorry for the late appearance of this blog – I’d started it earlier in the week, but was distracted by other matters and forgot to finish it. As a result some of the … Read more >>
Guardian 29,000 – Fed
Another nice puzzle from Fed, with a few clues where the answer was clear but the parsing took quite a bit of working out. Thanks to Fed for the entertainment. Across 1 … Read more >>
Guardian 28,993 – Pasquale
Pasquale’s second appearance in two days, after yesterday’s Quiptic. This was (of course) harder than that one, but still quite gentle, though, as often with this setter, including a couple of possibly unfamiliar … Read more >>
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 >>
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 >>