Friday fun from Paul…
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 >>
Andrew
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 >>
Guardian 28,910 – Pasquale
Quite a tricky one from Pasquale today, with a few obscurities and some tricky parsings. Thanks to Pasquale for the chewy challenge. Across 9 ELAN VITAL Supposed creative force that could make … Read more >>
Guardian 28,903 – Tramp
A gentle Tramp to lead us into November, with the SW corner holding me up longest, and two excellent long anagrams – something of a trademark for this setter. Many thanks to Tramp. … Read more >>
Azed 2627
A reasonably testing Azed, though sound and clear in retrospect as usual. I have a minor quibble about the definition in 24d, but that might be my ignorance. Thanks to Azed. Across … Read more >>
Guardian 28,896 – Vulcan
Mostly straightforward Monday fare, with one or two trickier moments, and a couple of words that might be unfamiliar to some. Thanks to Vulcan. Across 1 FLIPPED ONE’S LID Got enraged by … Read more >>
Guardian 28,887 – Philistine
I was a little slow to get started on this, but then everything started slipping nicely into place. Thanks to Philistine. We have a mini-theme of words derived from the names of planets, … Read more >>
Guardian 28,880 – Qaos
I enjoyed this a lot – thanks to Qaos.
Guardian 28,873 – Brummie
I seemed to be very much on Brummie’s wavelength this morning and got through this pretty quickly. No theme that I can see, but you never know… Thanks to Brummie. Across 1 … Read more >>
Guardian 28,866 – Soup
This is Soup’s first (solo) appearance in the Cryptic slot, though we have seen him a few times in the Genius. This was quite tricky, with some rather unusual constructions, including a couple … Read more >>
Guardian 28,864 – Philistine
I was slow to get started on this, with only about five answers entered after my first pass through the clue, but gradually it all fell satisfyingly into place. Thanks to Philistine. … Read more >>