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 >>
Independent on Sunday 1608 Poins
Thank you to Poins. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Likable general speaking after pressure to confess (8) PLEASING : [Homophone of(… speaking) “Lee”(Robert E., Confederate general during the American Civil … Read more >>
Independent 10,667 by Angel
The puzzle can be found here. Hello and welcome all, with a special welcome to the Indy’s latest new setter, Angel. Angel waltzes onto the stage with a glittering debut, featuring SEQUINS, … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 28,315 by Paul
Paul’s email to his subscribers classed this as 7/10 in terms of difficulty, which seems about right. It took Timon and I an hour and a half to complete the puzzle, and I’m … Read more >>
Independent 10,666 / Serpent
As Phi appeared yesterday, Serpent is occupying this week’s Friday slot. I enjoyed this puzzle and found it to be of medium difficulty by Indy standards. I am happy with my parsing except … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,663 by CHALMIE
A good workout dished by CHALMIE this Friday. Thanks for the treat, CHALMIE! FF: 9 DD : 8 ACROSS 1 MAGNUM OPUS Bottle with boiling soup – great work! (6,4) MAGNUM ( bottle … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,320 by Paul
A difficult solve after a quick start, with several answers entered without fully parsing until writing the blog. Favourites were 8ac, 21ac, 4dn, 5dn, and 17dn. Many thanks to Paul …there is an … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,662 / Redshank
For some reason the scheduled blogger hasn’t been able to be with us today so here is an analysis of the clues. Across 1 Polo perhaps, and where it’s played (8,4) SWIMMING POOL … Read more >>
Guardian 28,319 – Philistine
I enjoyed this, despite there being two clues I can’t parse, one that I think is faulty, and another that seems unfair. No doubt I will soon be enlightened on the first two, … Read more >>
Independent 10665 / Phi
A puzzle from Phi on a Thursday is unusual. Either another setter has a special reason for getting the Friday slot or Phi has something going on today. The grid … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1464: Brilliant by Chalicea
Hello everyone. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been an EV blogger now for two years, after I rashly answered Gaufrid’s call for a volunteer having previously tackled only one EV (managing the … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,652 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 5, 2020 Another elegant puzzle for us muddlarks. My first-in was 4ac (CHESTNUT) and I completed each quadrant in turn working counter-clockwise and progressing smoothly … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,661 by MONK
Oh dear, I can’t finish this, how embarrassing. Thanks Monk! Any help gratefully received. ACROSS 7 ERIC Perhaps Clapton’s earpiece regularly dropped (4) every other letter (regularly dropped) of EaRpIeCe 8 UNFORESEEN Sudden … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,318 by Puck
Set aside some time for today's puzzle! This was Puck at his mischievous best. Lots of general knowledge, difficult words, unusual wordplay… but a very satisying solve in the end. I think the … Read more >>
Independent 10,664 by Tees
Tees’s crosswords were once full of cultural references and one needed a rather good general knowledge to cope. But in this, everything was quite gentle and by my standards I raced through it. … Read more >>