Lots of classical references in this week’s plain Azed puzzle
Everyman 3,922/12 December
My colleague John introduced last week’s blog with the sentiment that the puzzle there was one of the best Everyman offerings that he’d had on his watch. I thought this one continued in … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1660 Tees
Thank you to Tees. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 9. Develop complex (9) ELABORATE : Double defn: 1st: To add more detail to, say, a theory, policy, or basic story line; … Read more >>
Independent 10,978 by Methuselah (Saturday Puzzle 18 December 2021)
Methuselah seems to be a new Indy setter on the block – with a few Indy and IOS puzzles blogged on this site since about April this year…although with a name like that, you’d have thought they’d been around for ages!
Guardian Prize 28,626 by Brendan
It’s Brendan, so there must be a theme – but not in the usual way.
Independent 10,977 / Phi
Phi is to be found this week in his usual Friday slot. Before going any further, let me apologise for the late posting, due to an unexpectedly manic day at the office. The … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops/717) Standards Lapse
I just had a surprise – the Christmas issue of Private Eye dropped through the letterbox today, Friday. I hadn’t noticed last issue covered only for 1 week (and a bit) not the … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28631 Picaroon
Thank you to Picaroon. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Going on record, account penned by non-drinkers is woolly stuff (6) ALPACA : [ LP(abbrev. for “long playing record” of music … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,971 by BRADMAN
I found this BRADMAN offering a real tough nut to crack. Most of the right half of the grid went in quickly but from thereon, it was a slow trudge. Thanks Bradman for the treat.
Financial Times 16,970 by STEERPIKE
Steerpike’s fourth FT offering
Independent 10976 / Klingsor
I always enjoy a Klingsor puzzle I liked this one particularly because of the intricate wordplay in some clues. There are a number of parsings when I have had to … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,630 by Paul
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28630.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1516: Fear by Chalicea
Hello everyone. It’s always good to see a Chalicea puzzle. The preamble to this one reads: The slightly adapted statement at 1a, 42, six words expressing the speaker’s FEAR, was made at … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,960 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 4, 2021
Financial Times 16,969 by IO
Phew! This is a cracking puzzle, but I was left staring at a half empty grid for ages. Fortunately things finally fell into place, but for a long while I thought I was going to have to admit failure and ask you all for help. Thank you Io for a seriously taxing workout.