This week’s 11 x 11 crossword from the Guardian intended to teach cryptic crosswords, found here
Independent No. 12,237 by Eccles
Good morning cruciverbalists. A very Merry Xmas to you all, whether celebrating or not.
Inquisitor Review of 2024-25 by Nimrod
Inquisitor Review of 2024-25 by Nimrod
Guardian Prize 29,883 / Philistine
It’s Philistine in the Prize slot for the Saturday before Christmas.
Listener 4897 Rugby Line Compromise by Mountain Ledges
This is Mountain Ledges second crossword. I am mystified by the title. Are we in for some kind of scrum?
Guardian Cryptic crossword No 29,887 by Enigmatist
Happy New Year Greetings to one and all! Thank you (I think) to Enigmatist. Definitions are underlined in the clues.
Financial Times 18,250 by IO
A challenge from IO that was well outside my limits.
Independent 12,236 by Nimrod
Nimrod provides our Boxing Day challenge.
Financial Times 18,249 by MUDD
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Independent 12,235 by Phi
Santa’s given us a Phi on Christmas Day!
Independent 12,234 / eimi
Our Christmas Eve cryptic challenge has been set by eimi, perhaps better known to many for his general knowledge puzzles in the i at the weekend. It has been a while since I have solved one of his cryptics, and I am wondering if there is any significance in his name being spelt with a lower-case “e”, both alongside the puzzle and in the clue at 6.
Enigmatic Variations 1725 10 Across by Raffles
Two clue devices this week. Extra letters in the wordplay and misprints in some definitions. Also 10 unclued entries and a piece of encryption to solve at the end. The gentleman amateur cracksman is our setter – for those who remember the novels by E W Hornung or Anthony Valentine on TV in the early 70s
Financial Times 18,248 by MONK
Thanks to Monk for a fabulous puzzle.
Guardian 29,886 / Pangakupu
An entertaining puzzle from Pangakupu to accompany the festive preparations
Inquisitor 1938: Christmas-time at Hook-a-Gate by Pomfret Cake
We enter the run-up to Christmas with Pomfret Cake’s IQ challenge.