Eccles on fine form as usual this Wednesday.
Guardian Cryptic 29,563 by Paul
A tricky solve – my favourites were 5ac, 10ac, 23ac, 25ac, and 4dn. Thanks to Paul
Financial Times 17,917 by GOLIATH
Great fun from Goliath!
Inquisitor 1884: Odds & Evens by Kruger
Kruger, notching up his sixty-second puzzle in the Inquisitor sequence.
Preamble: Every clue contains a definition and wordplay. Odd-numbered across clues consist of definition/wordplay for another odd-numbered across entry and wordplay/definition for an even-numbered down entry. Likewise, even-numbered down clues consist of definition/wordplay for another even-numbered down entry and wordplay/definition for an odd-numbered across entry.
Independent 11,909 by Atrica
The last puzzle we blogged by Atrica was back in July last year which had a theme based on cocktails.
Guardian 29,562 – Anto
Regular readers will know I’m not generally a big Anto fan, but I enjoyed this one. A bit of a science-y feel to it, though perhaps not enough to constitute a full theme. … Read more >>
Financial Times 17916 Moo
Thank you, Moo. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Might monk appear like this to people? (7) INHABIT : [IN HABIT](how a monk might appear, clothed in his robe]. Defn: …/to … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,915 by GAFF
GAFF begins the week with "a birthday puzzle"…
Independent 11,908 by Coot
Coot is an occasional setter on Mondays and provides well-written clues. There was not much to complain about and plenty to enjoy.
Guardian Cryptic 29,561 by Dynamo
A third Monday outing for Dynamo.
Financial Times 17,914 by Rosa Klebb
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 7, 2024
Guardian Quiptic 1,307/Picaroon
A thoughtfully constructed Quiptic from one of the slot’s most reliable and enjoyable setters. Bravo. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,815 by Filbert
Sunday seems to have become quite the regular slot for Filbert of late.
Everyman 4,076 by Everyman
Pretty difficult this week I thought — I often solve Everyman when I’m not blogging and it can be far easier than this. Why do I always get the tough ones? The usual Everyman trademarks are there and coloured above. It seemed there were more cases than usual of there being a need for explanation.
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (anagram, reversal, hidden, homophone etc) in italics. Anagrams indicated (like this)* or *(like this). Link-words in green.
Azed 2737
It’s competition week for Azed, but it’s just a plain puzzle. No doubt there will be complex puzzles around Christmas and New Year. I found this more difficult than many … Read more >>