Broad smiles around the world when we see ‘Sabre’ on the top line, and a few shaky knees too, as we realise we are, as usual, facing a Sabresque challenge.
Listener No 4884, “Spyder” by Sabre
Sabre’s first Listener was waaaaay back in 1970, and this was his 75th solo effort — others were in collaboration, including no. 3000. This year’s puzzle had a slightly odd grid with gaps between a lot of cells and ticks around the perimeter. (And did Sabre have a competition with ‘Eck for the number of steps required to finish!)
Independent 12,158 by Phi
Unfortunately we missed blogging the burger puzzle last week. What is in store for us today?
Guardian 29,810 / Pangakupu
Pangakupu rounds off the week with an enjoyable challenge.
Financial Times 18,171 by SOLOMON
A solid challenge from SOLOMON!
Enigmatic Variations No. 1712: Obstacle Courses by Luxor
Hello. Sorry this post is a little later than normal. I thought I’d managed to schedule it last night, but it disappeared without trace. Hopefully we are now through the particular obstacle course of the site maintenance, and can turn our attention to this one …
Independent 12,157 / Amoeba
A challenging and satisfying puzzle today from a compiler whose work I have limited experience of both solving and blogging.
Financial Times 18,170 by Zamorca
The stalwart Zamorca today offers us a puzzle that mixes easier clues with a few proper head-scratchers…
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,809 by Tramp
A fun solve with clever surfaces and tricky parsings. My favourites were 16ac, 19ac, 6dn, and 15dn. Thanks to Tramp for the puzzle
Possible disruption over the next few days
Hopefully all back to normal
Guardian 29,808 – Harpo
I made a slow start on this, and a not much faster finish. Thanks to Harpo for the challenge.
Financial Times 18,169 by GUY
An enjoyable challenge from Guy.
Independent 12156 / Eccles
Eccles appears in his customary slot with another splendid puzzle. You know what you are going to get with Eccles – good clues, a mix of well-known and slightly obscure entries, generally without themes or messages in the grid.
Inquisitor 1925: Long Division by Check
Check is an Inquisitor setter who debuted in February 22 with puzzles appearing just under yearly since then. The four earlier puzzles have had themes focused on sport, science, literature and film. Clearly Check likes to explore different themes. I wonder what we have today?
Independent 12,155 by Crosophile
Crosophile is here to entertain us in the Tuesday slot this week.