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Guardian Quiptic 687 Hectence

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A typical Quiptic puzzle by Hectence, none too taxing.  Thank you Hectence.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The 4 pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzzle.]] Across 1 Messed up … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25841 Shed

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After being stretched a bit by the setter’s setter-mum yesterday, I was expecting the worst.  And, on the first pass, I could not, if at all, connect more than 2 answers together.  But, after … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25827 Rufus

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Firstly, thank you to PeeDee, Andrew and BertandJoyce for filling in for me while I was away.  Also, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all at Fifteensquared.  In … Read more >>

Financial Times 14184 Jason

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Another straightforward puzzle from Jason, but enjoyable nevertheless.  Thanks to Jason.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzzle.]] Across 1 One in pokey … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1189 Alchemi

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A comparatively new setter in Fifteensquared’s coverage, and, as far as I can tell, his/her first in the IoS.  Straightforward solve.  Thanks to Alchemi.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links with the puzzle.]]

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Financial Times 14166 Phssthpok

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A tricky puzzle, with clues requiring the solver to break them in the appropriate places, eg. 17a, 19a, 24a, and 5d.  But all fair and enjoyable.  Thanks to Phssthpok.  Definitions are underlined in … Read more >>

Guardian Quiptic 679 Pan

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A straightforward enjoyable puzzle, just nice for a Monday.  Thanks to Pan.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzze.  Please enclose any comments … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25794 Arachne

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A puzzle with wonderfully crafted clues – I think everyone of them has a clever, meaningful, and often, racy surface, and with lots of wordplay intertwined with the definitions – too many for me to … Read more >>

Financial Times 14160 Redshank

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An enjoyable puzzle by Redshank, which might well have been compiled for a certain sporting event this year, but only now published.  References abound in the clues and answers.  Thank you, Redshank.  Definitions … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1185 Donk

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A new setter for me. Some ingenious, tricky and innovative definitions, eg. “He”, “someone in bed”, “emissions”, “it’s”, and so on, and some interesting and misdirecting surfaces. I found this more difficult than the … Read more >>

Financial Times 14154 Neo

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Another enjoyable puzzle from Tuesday  regular, Neo.  Quite straightforward, once one gets into it.  The N.E. corner was slow, though having cracked it, I don’t know why – apart from trying to find … Read more >>

Financial Times 14148 Gurney

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An easy-going FT Tuesday, abound with anagrams and reversals – a warm-up for the more difficult ones later in the week?  Thanks to Gurney.  A pity there wasn’t a theme built around 17across.  Definitions … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25779 Rufus

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A standard Rufus with the usual dds, cds and anagrams, and I guess the surface of 7 across is the nautical reference.  Thanks Rufus.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at … Read more >>