Guardian Cryptic 28325 Paul
Thank you to Paul for the seasonal offering. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, all. Across 7. Drug, one fuelling a short run (7) ASPIRIN : I(Roman … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,658 by Artexlen
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 12, 2020 We are starting to see a lot of Artexlen in this space. My favourites in this puzzle are 10ac (UNTENABLE), 15ac (GALLANT), 22ac … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,667 by JULIUS
A super puzzle, and not as hard as it looks. Thank you Julius. Please ignore the numbers in the grid, I can’t figure out how to get rid of them. “I don’t want … Read more >>
Independent 10670 / Maize
Maize has given us a puzzle with the type of wordplay that I most enjoy. There’s quite a lot of components to the wordplay today as evidenced by the many … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,324 by Crucible
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28324. I found this an excellent crossword. In a previous crossword, I noted Crucible’s penchant for envelopes, with varied indications to fit the surfaces. Crucible also likes … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,666 by MOO
A fun Tuesday solve. Apologies for desperately late blog. Huge tech rubbish, had to dash off everything again in the end. Thanks MOO & Merry Thing to all. ACROSS 1 MACRON President’s romance … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1677: Dead End by Kruger
Kruger has set this week’s Inquisitor Note that the final word of the clue at 7 down was corrected from ‘reptile’ to ‘amphibian’ in the following week’s newspaper. The change … Read more >>
Guardian 28,323 / Qaos
It’s down to Qaos to provide the fun this morning – and that means there must be a theme. I have never seen The OFFICE and all I know about it is that … Read more >>
Independent 10,669 by Dill
A very pleasant and satisfactory crossword from Dill today. On the whole I found it gentle (although perhaps I haven’t seen all its complexities) but the fact that it was usually easy doesn’t … Read more >>
Quiptic 1,101 by Anto
As usual, Anto operates towards the trickier end of the Quiptic range, but there are some straightforward clues that should (I hope) get beginners started here. We have some classic crossword tricks (sign, … Read more >>
Independent 10,668 by Vigo
Mostly on the easy side with a couple of exceptions. There might be a theme, as there seem to be quite a lot of food or plant-related items, but I'm not sure what … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,322 by Pan
A fun start to the week – I particularly liked 12ac, 22ac, 2dn, and 6dn. Many thanks to Pan. ACROSS 1 HELIPAD Landing ground needs helium for large computer (7) HE (Helium) … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,665 by ZAMORCA
A gentle start to the week from ZAMORCA A pangram today, which is not unusual from this setter but always welcome. An enjoyable puzzle, merry Christmas everyone, and thanks ZAMORCA! ACROSS 1. Power … Read more >>
Everyman 3,870/13 December
I found this puzzle unsatisfactory on the whole, mainly because of some dubious definitions and unclear wordplay. Your experience may have differed. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad … Read more >>
Azed 2531
The last Azed of 2020 before the Christmas special, and quite a gentle one, I thought. Thanks as always to Azed. Across 1. POGGE Hard-plated fish from … Read more >>