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Financial Times 14253 Phssthpok

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I found this a tad harder than usual, with the explanations for the NE corner the last to yield.  Enjoyed the challenge though, so thanks to Phssthpok.  Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across … Read more >>

Financial Times 14247 Aldhelm

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A new setter/pseudonym with an impressive debut.  Nice surfaces and misdirections.  I was stumped for an explanation to the answer to 10across, and had to call for help from some good friends (grateful … Read more >>

Financial Times 14241 Gurney

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Quite a straightforward puzzle, so thanks to setter Gurney (a 15sq. blogger in addition).  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzzle.]] Across 1 We … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25874 Rufus

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A Rufus with, I thought, a more than usual share of anagrams, cds and dds, so it might win even fewer friends.  There are some nice surfaces and misdirections, though.  Thanks Rufus.  Definitions … Read more >>

Financial Times 14235 Jason

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Another enjoyable puzzle from Tuesday regular Jason.  Thanks to Jason.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzzle.]] Across 1 Tasteless clothing before school … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 691 Arachne

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A straightforward enjoyable Quiptic from Arachne (who can turn up or down the difficulty level, as required).  Thank you to Arachne.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.   [[The pictures at the bottom have … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25865 Orlando

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An enjoyable offering from Orlando.  Not difficult, with 25across my last one in.  Thanks to Orlando.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzzle.  … Read more >>

Financial Times 14229 Neo

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  I thought this was going to be Neo shaking us out of our Tuesday complacency, on first pass.  However it turned out to be quite benign, helped in my case, by the … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1197 Hypnos

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An enjoyable puzzle from Hypnos, just nice for a relaxing Sunday.  Thank you to Hypnos.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links with the puzzzle.]] Across 1 … Read more >>

Financial Times 14223 Jason

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Another enjoyable offering from Tuesday regular, Jason.  All straightforward, except perhaps 20, my last one in, and of which I’m not totally certain.  Thanks to Jason.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The … Read more >>

Financial Times 14217 Crux

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Though quick, solving this was quite enjoyable with some clever surfaces and devices.  Thank you to Crux.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25850 Rufus

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The usual Monday fare from Rufus.  Not everyone’s cup of tea, as the many cds do not allow the solver to synthesise the answer from scratch, but require one to take a macro view.  Thanks … Read more >>

Financial Times 14211 Armonie

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A very slightly harder Armonie today, but good.  Thanks Armonie.  I noted the number of repeated words in the clues: “beer”(1a/12a), “girl”(14a/21a), “speed”(11a/22a), “knight”(2d/4d), “number”(7d/8d), “nothing”(11a/28a), and wondered if it was deliberate?  If … Read more >>