Thanks to Chalmie for this morning’s challenge.
Guardian 29,073 / Imogen
The scheduled blogger, scchua is on holiday, so I’m standing in today for this offering from Imogen. I got off to a slow start and didn’t get anything until the … Read more >>
Independent 11,418 / Eccles
Eccles is occupying his customary mid-week spot this Wednesday. I actually found this to be a rather challenging puzzle by Indy standards, and a harder than average puzzle from Eccles. I needed quite … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 29,072 by Jack
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29072.
Inquisitor 1802: Not Bad by Dash
It was a traditionally wet Bank Holiday Saturday, and there was nothing on the television. Luckily we had a nifty little Inquisitor to occupy the time. Apparently it was the start of Ladies’ … Read more >>
Guardian 29,071 / Brummie
A pretty straightforward and enjoyable puzzle from Brummie this morning. The main issue with this setter is that he often, but not always, has a theme – at least with Qaos we know … Read more >>
Independent 11417 / Grecian
This seems to be Grecian’s ninth Independent puzzle since a debut in March 2022. It is the first puzzle by Grecian that I have blogged. I suspect many solvers will … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,416 by PETO
An interesting variety of clues today from Peto.
Azed No. 2,655 ‘Printer’s Devilry’ – Competition Puzzle
Azed produces these every year or two and they are very clever and great fun, but when I saw that it was a P.D. my heart sank, as they take me a long time to do and I wasn’t sure that I’d finish in time. However, having done several of these over the years I’m probably finding them easier. Why it should be that they appeal to the majority of solvers goodness knows, but they do, and the names of the prizewinners in Azed’s lists are much the same names as in his regular crosswords. They divide opinion a bit, and a few don’t like them at all. Personally I enjoy them despite their difficulty: the moment of realisation when what was a slightly clunky and incomprehensible sentence reveals itself is very nice.
The instructions I find pretty incomprehensible and it’s only by learning from various other sources that I know what to do. Why Azed bothers to say ‘Preference is given to…’ I can’t understand, since all the clues that I’ve ever seen quoted have been ‘correct’. Should he not make it a rule?
Financial Times 17,415 by MUDD
MUDD begins the week…
Guardian Cryptic 29,070 by Matilda
A fun solve – I liked 9ac, 16ac, 26ac, and 18dn. Thanks to Matilda
Guardian Quiptic 1,226/Bartland
A puzzle ideally suited for beginners and improving solvers, I thought. Slightly marred by a classic lack of Grauniad editorship, sadly. No doubt by late morning there will be an addition to the … Read more >>
Independent 11,416/Filbert
Filbert is quite the go-to guy in the Independent at the moment. He has been a very positive addition to the growing list of Indy setters, and I enjoyed teasing this one out. … Read more >>
Everyman 3,994
So it’s the Sunday following some sort of bash down London way
Independent on Sunday 1,733/Brunel
I found this a good cryptic challenge with some stand-out surface readings. Just a bit hard. The Independent on Sunday puzzle has historically been along the lines of ‘suitable for less experienced solvers’, … Read more >>