Phi-day again, and a fun challenge as usual.
Guardian Cryptic 28,379 by Picaroon
Very enjoyable and mostly quite tough, with the long outer solutions helping a lot. 8/17 was particularly excellent, and I had many other favourites including 11ac, 19ac, 24ac, 28/29, 1/21, 4dn, and 5dn. Thanks to Picaroon
Financial Times 16,719 by BASILISK
A themed offering from Basilisk that took me a while to untangle.
Independent 10,724 by Tees
Tees seems to crop up on different days. It’s over a year since we blogged one of his puzzles.
Guardian 28,378 – Tramp
Quite a tricky one from Tramp today, with some devious constructions. There’s a bit of a Christmassy feel to it, with HOLLY, TREES, DASHER, and perhaps CHINESE LANTERNS, though probably not enough to … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1474 – The Mover and the Lover by Ifor
“The originally-completed grid contains three empty cells, to be filled with letters taken from elsewhere in the grid, so showing a thematic movement. The effect of this movement must be undone by changing one entry to two new words and inserting a bar. Clues to all answers occupying 7, 8 and 9-letter slots contain an extra word. Read in clue order, one letter from each (always the second or penultimate) spells out the MOVER; the alternative choices identify the LOVER. Numbers give cells available; ignoring empty cells, all answers and entries are words in Chambers Dictionary (2016).”
Financial Times 16,709 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 13, 2021
Independent 10,723 / Eccles
Eccles is occupying the mid-week slot once again today. I found this to be a puzzle of two halves, in that I found that I was able to solve around 50% of the … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,718 by MONK
A nice puzzle, but with one guess I can’t explain. Thanks Monk.
Guardian Cryptic 28,377 by Nutmeg
Nutmeg serves up a range of clever clues this morning.
Inquisitor 1686: Nearly Ten to Four by Eclogue
Eclogue entertains us this week with a crossword that maybe should have appeared in July 2018! A 43 accompanied by 34 set off on a journey which is approximately mapped in the grid. … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,717 by GURNEY
Mostly harmless but with a kick in tail.
Independent 10722 / Hob
Hob is the setter for this Tuesday puzzle The poet John KEATS died 200 years ago today (23rd February 1821) and crossword editors rarely miss an opportunity to commission puzzles that … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,376 by Matilda
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28376.
Independent 10,721 by Bluth
Much to enjoy in this offering, which seemed to have more clues to solve than usual.