An (almost) typical Monday offering.
Guardian 28,454 – Vlad
I found the top half of this rather easier than the bottom, helped by a strange coincidence, and some helpful anagrams. No theme or Nina that I can see, but I could be … Read more >>
Guardian
Guardian Quiptic 1123 Matilda
Thank you to Matilda. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Advantageous to be young with a lisp … (6) USEFUL : … pronounced(to be …) with a lisp, “youthful”(young). 5. … … Read more >>
Guardian Saturday Puzzle 28,446 / Tramp
It’s only a couple of weeks since Tramp made one of his rare appearances in the ‘Prize’ slot, so it was a welcome surprise to see him here again. This puzzle was, for … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28451 Puck
Thank you to Puck. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Drawer once containing office PC? (4,9) JOHN CONSTABLE : JOHN(slang for a toilet, euphemistically called the “office”, as in “the usual … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,450 by Maskarade
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28450.
Guardian 28,449 / Pasquale
Pasquale sets the mid-week challenge, with a good variety of clue types and only one (for me) unfamiliar word at 1dn. I found this rather gentler than Pasquale can be, although I need … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,448 by Philistine
Really enjoyed this – plenty of smiles along the way, and some penny drop moments of parsing at the end. Favourites were 20ac, 25ac, 2dn, 7dn/8dn, 16dn, 22dn, and 23dn/5ac. Thanks to Philistine
Guardian Quiptic 1,122/Hectence
Another delightful puzzle from Hectence, who is one of the original group of setters of the Quiptic (she perhaps won’t thank me for reminding her that when her first Quiptic appeared, IT geeks … Read more >>
Guardian 28,447 – Anto
Definitely not your usual easy-Monday fare from Anto today.
Guardian 28,440 / Paul
A puzzle full of poets from Paul this week – very enjoyable, and a pretty good difficulty level for a prize puzzle, I thought. Many thanks, Paul! Across 1. Poet feeding rats to … Read more >>
Guardian 28,445 – Imogen
Quite a tricky one from Imogen today, with several clues where some perhaps slightly obscure general knowledge is necessary for a full understanding. Thanks to Imogen. Across 1 POUTING Looking offended by … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28444 Picaroon
Thank you to Picaroon. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Spin around and arouse cad after taking stimulants (4,2,4,4) TURN ON ONE’S HEEL : [TURN ON](to arouse/to stimulate) + [HEEL(a cad/an … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,443 by Nutmeg
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28443.
Guardian 28,442 / Brummie
An entertaining puzzle from Brummie today, with some clever and witty clues. I thought the surfaces were generally smoother and more meaningful than is sometimes the case with this setter. More often than … Read more >>