I don’t think we’ve seen a Dill puzzle around here for a while, so welcome back.
Guardian Cryptic 29,496 by Picaroon
Tricky and very enjoyable – my favourites were 11ac, 15ac, 20ac, 1dn, 4dn, and 10dn. Thanks to Picaroon for the puzzle
Financial Times 17,850 by STEERPIKE
Another solid puzzle from Steerpike . . .
Financial Times 17,849 by ARTEXLEN
ARTEXLEN kicks off the week…
Guardian 29,495 – Vulcan
Another Vulcan Monday for those who like a gentle start to the week, with quite a few cryptic (or barely cryptic) definitions. Thanks to Vulcan. Across 1 BIOPIC A sexually fluid work … Read more >>
Independent 11,842 by Wire
Wire gets our week going
Financial Times Sunday No.59 – World by Peto
More geographically based cruciverbal fun from the FT. Find it to solve online or download and print at ft.com/crossword
Quiptic 1,296 by Pasquale
Really glad to see that I was blogging Pasquale, who’ve I’ve blogged in the Quiptic spot before. He is one of the setters who can lend his hand to a range of difficulties, producing Quiptics and Cryptic puzzles that fit the bill. The puzzle is found here
Everyman 4,065/15 September
Another carefully compiled puzzle from Everyman this week. All the usual elements are there: the primary letters clue, the rhyming couplet, the self-reference. Some original clueing as well in a couple of places, … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,726 Plain
A 13 by 11 grid this week, although Azed has chosen to use a grid which only allows him one 13 letter word.
Independent on Sunday 1804 Tees
Thank you to Tees. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 7. Get her this novel where Waterstones might be (4,6) HIGH STREET : Anagram of(… novel) GET HER THIS. Defn: The main … Read more >>
Independent 11,841 by Bluebird
Bluebird provides the Saturday work-out this week.
Quick Cryptic 25 by Picaroon
This is the twenty-fifth 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. The puzzle can be found here.
Private Eye (Cyclops/787) Sorry Oligarchy
A Cyclops puzzle that started out easy and got harder as I went on. That shouldn’t happen!
Guardian Prize 29,488 by Jack
An unusual grid for the prize puzzle this week which made me look for a nina, but it wasn’t exactly what I expected.