Vismut provides us with this week’s IQ challenge.
Inquisitor
Inquisitor 1918 by Vismut – correction
The editor has informed me that there was a misprint in Inquisitor 1918
Inquisitor 1917: By-blow by Ruli
We have a new setter for this week’s Inquisitor. Welcome to Ruli!
Inquisitor 1916: Workout by Poat
There have typically been about 100 puzzles between successive appearances by Poat, but the one prior to this was #1881 Get the Message, last November.
Preamble: Four creative works suggest how the answers to each group of clues must be treated. In the fifth group, each clue contains an extra letter which must be removed to enable solving; extras can be arranged to make the creator. The entry at 22dn is two words.
Inquisitor 1915: Circle Line/Central Line by Cranberry
One of the joys of solving Inquisitors is learning about the stories behind some of the quirky themes that setters use. Cranberry’s puzzle is an excellent example of scientific theory giving rise to an interesting practice.
Inquisitor 1914: Construction Site by Luxor
Luxor provides another interesting IQ challenge with a triangular grid of hexagonal cells.
Inquisitor 1913: What Goes Around by Charybdis
Charybdis is a fairly prolific setter of Inquisitor crosswords with interesting end games.
Inquisitor 1912: Absences by Skylark
Does Skylark herald the start of ladies’ month?
Preamble: From each of thirty-six clues, a letter must be removed before solving, giving items from a thematic group. From each of five other clues, a surplus word must be removed before solving. After inspecting the completed grid, solvers must enter absences below it.
Inquisitor 1910: Dead-letter Drop by Kruger
Kruger provides us with the last IQ challenge of May.
Inquisitor 1909: Find the Title by Phi
Phi is a prolific setter of Independent and Inquisitor puzzles. He also sets for the Guardian using the pseudonym Pangakupu.
Inquisitor 1908: Labor Works by Twin
Twin, new to the Inquisitor.
Preamble: The puzzle features a thematic property. The wordplay in each clue leads to the answer plus a letter not entered in the grid. These letters, referring to the clues themselves, lead to a required entry method and the source for a superlative word that must be highlighted in the grid.
Inquisitor 1907: 16 Words by Nathan Panning
16 Words by Nathan Panning
Inquisitor 1906: Missing in Action by Serpent
Serpent sets the IQ challenge this week.
Inquisitor 1905: Rounders by Ifor
Ifor specialises in setting barred crosswords. Fifteensquared has blogs about his crosswords in all of the Inquisitor, Enigmatic Variations and Listener series. Today’s puzzle is his 52nd Inquisitor crossword since his debut in January 2011.