Independent 10,643 by Monk
Where does the time go when you are not busy? Once again we have a Saturday puzzle to blog – it only seems a few weeks ago when we blogged the last one. … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 28,291 by Brendan
A topical thematic puzzle from Brendan this week. It was obvious from the clues that there was going to be a political theme, and it soon became apparent that it referred to the … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,639 by BRADMAN
A tough challenge from BRADMAN this Friday. Thanks Don, for the workout. Also, thanks to Geoff for helping me get across the line.FF: 9 DD: 9 ACROSS 9 EPIDERMIC In widespread disease there’s … Read more >>
Independent 10,642 / Phi
In familiar fashion, Phi brings this week’s suite of mid-week puzzles to a close. I found this crossword harder than a standard Phi, in part due to the grid and that fact that … Read more >>
Guardian 28,296 – Paul
The email advertising Paul’s Zoom session tonight (see his website) has the title “Did I do this on purpose?” and says “Looking back over this puzzle there are a couple of coincidences.”… …I … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28295 Vlad
Thank you to Vlad. This wasn’t a write-in for me. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1, 18. He dealt with state affairs a lot — wrong description of Boris? (1,6,2,2,5,3) A … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1460: A Human Connection by Ranunculus
Hi everyone. I very much enjoyed rising to the challenge and sniffing out the solution to this puzzle. Thanks Ranunculus! The preamble reads: The definitions in nine across and nine down clues … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,638 by JULIUS
A headscratcher from Julius this morning. Maybe I'm tired, but I found this a bit of a slog this morning, although many of the answers were quite easy to get, as long as … Read more >>
Independent 10641 / Serpent
We have a puzzle by Serpent on Thursday this week. If I see Serpent as a setter, I know I’m in for a tricky time. That’s what I found in … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,628 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 8, 2020 Another nice puzzle from Mudd. My favourites are 27ac (NEEDED) and 9dn (PARSEC). ACROSS 1 STRESSED Tense as tempting confections wheeled over (8) … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,637 by GOZO
A themed puzzle again this week. Thank you Gozo. I enjoyed this but found it surprisingly tricky despite being familiar with the themed entries. ACROSS 1 CARMEN Operatic MOT mechanics (6) cryptic definition … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,294 by Tramp
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28294. This unfolded for me as a good crossword should: at first glance impenetrable – it was nor just that I could not come up with answers, … Read more >>
Independent 10,640 by Rodriguez
Rodriguez hasn’t appeared since April 2017 and I’d never heard of him or her — must have forgotten. I was expecting a newcomer who was possibly very easy (it being Wednesday), something that … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1672: Shattered by Chalicea
Chalicea – so the clues are likely to be gentle. The asymmetric grid alone signals a search during the endgame. Preamble: To depict an aftermath, solvers must highlight nine answers (a total … Read more >>
Financial Times 16636 Peto
Thanks to Peto. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Able to go through without a hint of resistance (6) CLEVER : “cleave”(to go through/to make a way through something, as if … Read more >>