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 >>
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 >>