An enjoyable solve and with a couple of gettable longer solutions helping me get started into the grid. Looked down a couple of paths for possible themes but haven’t found anything convincing. Favourite clues were 1ac, 10ac, 13ac, and 14ac. Thanks to Brummie.
Inquisitor 1708: Coward by Skylark
Skylark, the third of four female setters in Ladies’ month (although this July has five Saturdays so there’s room for one more). Preamble: Symmetrical grid entries contain the endings of four lines … Read more >>
Financial Times 16848 Goliath
Thank you to Goliath. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Note as clever? Not half! (6) QUAVER : QUA(as/being/in the capacity of, as in “President Trump qua president was no different … Read more >>
Independent 10,854 by Italicus
Italicus makes one of his relatively rare appearances today
Guardian Quiptic 1,132/Carpathian
A delightful Quiptic from Carpathian this morning, with crystal-clear cluing and a nice variety of devices for the less-experienced solver to wrestle with. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as … Read more >>
Independent 10,853 by Wire
Wire provides today’s challenge, with a few tricky parsings but plenty of fun.
Financial Times 16,847 by SLORMGORM
Great Monday puzzle from SLORMGORM.
Guardian 28,507 – Paul
After blogging a Paul on Friday, I wasn’t expecting another one today; I also wasn’t expecting something that was a long way from a “gentle Monday puzzle”. It was obvious that I wouldn’t … Read more >>
General Discussion
This page is for the discussion of general crossword related matters and other topics of interest. Comments posted before 3/8/2021 can be found here. This post is now closed. New comments can be … Read more >>
Everyman 3,901
The Everyman crossword is definitely improving. There were some nice clues here, and I only had a few very slight doubts in places, as you’ll see in the blog. More like the old Everyman: not all that difficult but sound and a good starting puzzle.
Azed No. 2,562 Plain
Took me a while to get into this one…
Independent on Sunday 1,639 by Filbert
I found this a very enjoyable puzzle. Thank you Filbert.
Independent 10,852 by Tees
Tees provides today’s puzzle.
Guardian ‘Prize’ Crossword 28,500 / Philistine (17 July 2021)
This is my second Saturday Guardian blog and I’m struggling to find something to say in the preamble (nothing new there then!). I always enjoy Philistine’s puzzles (and those that he sets as … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,845 by LEONIDAS
A tough challenge from a rare Friday setter. Thanks LEONIDAS, for the treat.