This is the thirty-sixth Guardian Quick Cryptic, a series of 11 x 11 crosswords designed to support beginners learning cryptic crosswords. The whole point of these crosswords is support and encouragement of new solvers, so special rules for these crosswords apply – see here – those rules include not posting solving times. There is a summary of the tricks used in the first six months here. This puzzle can be found here.
Guardian
Guardian Saturday Prize Crossword 29,554 by Paul (30 November 2024)
It’s a Prize Puzzle, and it’s a Paul – so there’ll probably be some linked/multi-light entries, some punning double-definitions, and maybe an outrageous homophone or two…let’s see…
Guardian Cryptic 29559 Omnibus
Thank you to Omnibus, whoever you are. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Apologies again for the late posting (a flat tyre disrupted my schedule). Across 1, 21. 8’s more likely to break … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 29,558 by Picaroon
The puzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29558.
Guardian 29,557 / Fed
Fed makes a welcome return to the mid-week slot with a puzzle that I found most enjoyable and rewarding. Lots of clever and witty clues, as usual – just one piece of parsing … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 29,556 by Brummie
Had a slow start before things started clicking into place. Particularly enjoyed 8dn, 15dn, and 16dn. Thanks to Brummie for the puzzle
Guardian 29,555 – Vulcan
In contrast to Friday’s puzzle from his alter ago Imogen, Vulcan gives us the traditional “gentle start to the week”, with a generous helping of cryptic definitions. Thanks to Vulcan. Across 1 … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1306 Anto
Thank you to Anto. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Screens drug for something not readily noticed (5,4) BLIND SPOT : BLINDS(screens/shades for windows) + POT(drug, specifically cannabis). 6. Party demands … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 257 set by Twin
I believe this is the first Genius to be set by Twin. Indeed, it may be his/her first Guardian puzzle. But I’m informed by the excellent Crossword Forum that Twin won the Ascot Gold Cup in 2020 and 2022 for Listener puzzles (voted so by correct solvers) and has set crosswords as Prime for the Telegraph Toughie and as Agenor in the TLS. And the day after I compose this post, November 7th, Twin sets the Independent Cryptic.
Quick Cryptic 35 by Maskarade
This is the thirty-fifth Guardian Quick Cryptic, a series of 11 x 11 crosswords designed to support beginners learning cryptic crosswords. The whole point of these crosswords is support and encouragement of new solvers, so special rules for these crosswords apply – see here – those rules include not posting solving times. There is a summary of the tricks used in the first six months here. This puzzle can be found here.
Guardian Prize 29,548 / Brummie
It’s Brummie back on a Saturday, exactly four weeks since my blog of his most recent Prize puzzle. I always enjoy Brummie’s puzzle – but there’s an extra hazard here for the blogger: … Read more >>
Guardian 29,553 – Imogen
A good solid puzzle from Imogen today. I started off quickly in the NW corner; things got a little stickier after that, but it all worked out in the end. Thanks to Imogen. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 29552 Picaroon
Thank you to Picaroon. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Doing loads of laundry, holding one article for Americans (14) WASHINGTONIANS : [WASHING(doing laundry) TONS(loads/very much of] containing(holding) [ I(Roman numeral … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 29,551 by Arachne
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29551.
Guardian 29,550 / Paul
Paul is back again, with a quite challenging puzzle, which I really enjoyed … … in fact, this is one of those that I could say remind me of why Paul used to … Read more >>