This is the thirty-eighth 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.
Guardian Prize Crossword 29566 / Picaroon
Picaroon provides the Guardian Prize challenge this week. There was a good mix of general knowledge built into the clues which dipped into literature, film, opera, philosophy, geography and cookery … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,925 by ZAMORCA
A fun challenge from ZAMORCA this Friday.
Guardian 29,571 / Picaroon
Hurrah! After almost four months, I get a Picaroon puzzle to blog. I’m interested to hear how this one went down, after the mixed reaction to yesterday’s puzzle from Paul, where we were … Read more >>
Independent 11,918 by Phi
It’s good to see Phi back in his normal slot.
Independent 11,917 / Mog
Mog has provided this week’s Thursday teaser. I found this to be a highly entertaining, medium-difficulty puzzle that gave me lots to smile about along the way. I think that I am happy … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 29,570 by Paul
A slow and tough solve…
Financial Times 17,924 by MUDD
Mudd is the setter today.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1672: Loved Ones by Ranunculus
Hello, lovelies!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, etc …
We reach the end of another year
Financial Times 17,923 by MONK
A wonderfully tricky challenge.
Independent 11916 / Eccles
It’s a puzzle from Eccles today in his regular Wednesday slot. MEDIAEVAL at 9 across is one of those words that I have great difficulty spelling so it was good … Read more >>
Guardian 29,569 – Imogen
I found this quite slow going: in retrospect most of the clueing is reasonably straightforward, though with quite a few double definitions. Thanks to Imogen. Across 1 STIGMATISATION Getting denounced, recollecting satanism? … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1885: Don’t Look Up by Phi
Last week we had Kruger’s 62nd Inquisitor. Kruger is the third most prolific setter in the Inquisitor list. This week we have Phi equalling Schadenfreude’s record of 81 Inquisitors. Unfortunately Schadenfreude is no … Read more >>
Independent 11,915 by Italicus
An enjoyable challenge from Italicus today.