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Crosswords are sometimes written a few weeks before they are published and the themes can seem a little out-of-date by the time they appear.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 >>
Azed 2588
This week’s Azed puzzle is one where I got off to a good start but slowed significantly as worked my way through it. I’m unable to parse the clue for … Read more >>
Independent 11,007 by Methuselah (Saturday Puzzle 22 January 2021)
Typical – just like London buses…you wait ages (54+ years in my case, or 11+ in blogging years) for a Methuselah Indy to blog, and then two come along in a row!
Inquisitor Review of the Year 2020-21
M- -OMPL-M-N– -O …
…eXtent, the team of eXternal and Serpent, whose excellent puzzle Character Assassination tops this year’s voting table.
Guardian 28,655 / Tramp
It’s been a while since I did one of Tramp’s puzzles, so it’s nice to have one come up in the rota. I enjoyed this a lot – thanks, Tramp! Across 1. Nicks … Read more >>