“The answers to eight normal clues each provide the potential CONSEQUENCES for their respective entries. All other clues must have a letter removed prior to solving (always leaving real words) which, in clue order, provide the thematic reference (as cited in ODQ7). Read in grid order, the circled letters followed by the entry number of one of two thematic entries narrow down the reference material, which is further pinpointed by those two entries, as well as the sum of their entry numbers; the outlier is thematically numbered. Enumerations refer to grid entries. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Financial Times 16,993 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 15, 2022
Financial Times 17,002 by AARDVARK
Sorry the blog is bit late today. Thank you Aardvark.
Independent 11,010 / Eccles
Eccles is occupying his regular mid-week slot today. I found this to be an enjoyable puzzle, and sufficiently challenging for a Wednesday. In actual fact, I needed to cheat to find 19, which … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,664 by Nutmeg
A very enjoyable solve, with some very neat clues and surfaces as well as bits of tricky parsing that kept me thinking after the grid was filled. Favourites were 12ac, 15ac, 18ac, 22ac, 17dn, and 19dn. Thanks to Nutmeg for the puzzle.
Inquisitor 1734: Fifty Percent Extra Free by Nathan Panning
Hmm. Nathan Panning is a new setter and they are always welcome, but I found this a pretty involved affair! The rubric read: In twelve cells, across and down answers clash. Solvers must … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,001 by LEONIDAS
A mixed bag this morning. Many write-ins, many more seriously challenging.
Guardian 28,663 – Fed
I liked this a lot – very ingenious clueing, with some great misdirection. Thanks to Fed. Across 1 STRATA Jump across, initially moving right to left, to arrive at different levels (6)START … Read more >>
Independent 11009 / Radian
We have a Radian puzzle on what is usually a theme day in the Independent crossword series. Clearly there is a theme in this puzzle with many entries associated with … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,158/Hectence
Hectence on good form this morning, with a Quiptic that was well-constructed and fairly clued, and which would have been a good challenge for the beginner. There were a few that took me … Read more >>
Independent 11,008 by Tees
Crosswords are sometimes written a few weeks before they are published and the themes can seem a little out-of-date by the time they appear.
Financial Times 17,000 by SLORMGORM
Puzzle 17,000 this morning is a welcome challenge from Slormgorm.
Guardian Cryptic 28,662 by Brummie
A rare Monday appearance from Brummie.
Everyman 3,927
I don’t know what has prevented the scheduled blogger from appearing today but here instead is an analysis of the clues. If anything needs further explanation just ask. Across 1 International transport system, … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,665/Tees
Tees has produced the Sunday Indy crossword for us this week, but I’m afraid that my blog of his puzzle is a terse one. This is the first time that Tees and I … Read more >>