MOO kicks off the week…
Guardian Cryptic 29,608 by Brummie
A nice puzzle – I particularly liked 5ac and 27ac. Thanks to Brummie
Independent 11,956/Knut
I thought this was a cracking puzzle from Knut. I don’t often see his offerings in my Monday slot, so was pleased when his name popped up this morning. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,964 by Wanderer
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 1, 2025 Since this puzzle has been published and blogged before, I am not blogging it again but am just providing this pointer to the original … Read more >>
Financial Times Sunday 78 – World by Gaff
The first Sunday in February brings us the regular geographically themed puzzle. Find it to solve online or download and print at ft.com/crossword, or via the FT smartphone app.
Guardian Quiptic 1,315/Pasquale
A fine Quiptic from Pasquale this morning. If my blog appears terse, it’s because it’s all so clearly clued that there’s not much else to say other than bravo for a well-pitched puzzle. … Read more >>
Everyman 4,084 by Everyman
Generally sound clues this week, usually fairly straightforward, but Everyman hasn’t been able to resist making one or two of them a bit tricky to disentangle.
Independent on Sunday 1,823 by Liari
Liari’s fourth puzzle here I think
Azed No. 2,745 – Plain
Pleasant crossword from Azed this week. I didn’t think it was all that difficult by the usual standards, but would have appreciated a bit more guidance for words that are not in Chambers.
Genius No 259 by Picaroon
A reasonably straightforward Genius this month.
Independent 11,955 by Methuselah
The puzzle is available to solve online or download here.
Quick Cryptic 44 by Chandler
This is the forty-fourth 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. This puzzle can be found here.
Private Eye (Cyclops / 796) Saccharin Affability
A nice solid puzzle in this issue.
Not too hard, except for the last clue – funny how it’s always the last clue solved that’s tricksiest.
Most was filled in on the first pass, but a handful resisted till the end.
Guardian Saturday Prize Crossword 29,601 by Vlad (25 January 2025)
Vlad gives your correspondent a pretty tough mental workout this week…
Financial Times 17,963 by SOLOMON
A very late blog – sorry!