This is the forty-second 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.
Cyclops 795 – Pie-Eyed Wassailer
Cyclops laughs in the face of ‘Dry January’ (although I prefer to think of it as ‘Dry Gin-uary’…)
Guardian Prize 29,589 by Enigmatist
As Enigmatist fare goes, this must be on the easier end of the spectrum, inasmuch as I appear to have completed this one. I have provided what I hope is a reasonable explanation for just about everything.
Protected: Quite Radical
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Listener No 4848, “Return” by Dysart
This was the final puzzle from Dysart (the late Andy Stewart) following on from no. 4829, Bigfoot in August. I was surprised to find that this was his 64th, going way back to … Read more >>
Listener 4848 Return by Dysart
A rather sad “Goodbye!” We find that we have Dysart’s last Listener in front of us and know that this will be the last one that JEG will mark. Sad, but also extremely … Read more >>
Independent 11,942 by Phi
Friday is once again Phi-Day.
Guardian Cryptic 29,594 by Picaroon
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29594.
Financial Times 17,951 by ZAMORCA
A breezy challenge from ZAMORCA this Friday.
A date for your diary … ?
Tickets can be purchased at this link. Calling all Fifteensquared setters and solvers. Please come and join us on Friday, March 21 for an all-day conference about literature and word puzzles in the Auditorium at Magdalen College, Oxford. We … Read more >>
Independent 11,941 / Stetson
The Thursday crossword this week has been supplied by one of the more recent additions to the Indy compiling team, and this was my first outing with him as solver and blogger. I … Read more >>
Guardian 29,593 / Paul
It’s Paul back again, with another themed puzzle, cleverly and interestingly exploited. Having said that, I have to add that anyone coming here for help with certain bits of parsing is likely to … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,950 by JASON
Jason is the compiler of today's FT puzzle.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1676: Snack Time by The Ace of Hearts
Hello all. Time for The Ace of Hearts to serve us up a tasty snack. But will it be a picnic?
Guardian Cryptic 29,592 by Kite
Found this very tricky – favourites were 23ac, 8/20, 11dn, and 17dn. Thanks to Kite