Independent 10,578 by Harold
A challenging puzzle from newish compiler Harold. This wasn't entirely my cup of tea with quite a lot of slightly dodgy CDs and DDs but there were some interesting clues that required quite … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,575 by ZAMORCA
Very enjoyable pangram from Zamorca. I found this morning’s puzzle thoroughly enjoyable – not overly challenging, but kept me on my toes throughout. Very neat and clear clues with some excellent surfaces. First … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,232 by Vulcan
A little tricky for a Monday, and good fun – my favourites were 11ac, 24ac, 5dn, 20dn, and 21dn. Thanks to Vulcan for the puzzle. ACROSS 1 MEAN BUSINESS Perform decisively in shabby … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 684) Global Guidance
Another diverting solve from our one-eyed friend. Solving proceeded in a stuttering manner with about half done at the end of the first pass with solutions entered all over the grid so the … Read more >>
Everyman 3,855
The Observer crossword from 30 Aug, 2020. Perhaps it is just me but I found this puzzle a bit harder than usual. The construction of some clues (like 11ac and 24ac) may be … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,593/Tees
Another Tees ‘n’ Pierre show for your Sunday delectation and delight (well, the Tees bit, anyway …) Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 206 — Qaos
The instruction “the wordplay in each clue leads to a solution where two letters require an elementary substitution before entry in the grid” may have been intended as cryptic , but I guessed … Read more >>
Azed 2516
A plain puzzle from Azed this week The grid contains the usual collection of less common words clued very precisely. I liked the linked clues at 29 and 31 down … Read more >>
Independent 10,577 by Tyrus
The puzzle can be found here. Hello everybody, and happy weekend. When I see that Tyrus is the setter, I know we are in for a real challenge, so I was pleased … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 28,225 by Maskarade
Maskarade’s traditional Bank Holiday weekend giant puzzle – but one of the less complicated versions. The preamble says: The wordplay of 29 clues lack a theme word to reach the required solution. These … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,573 by NEO
A mostly straightforward challenge from NEO today, a quick solve thwarted only by a couple of uncommon words. Thanks NEO. FF: 7 DD: 6 ACROSS 1 FINISHING SCHOOL Eating up some fish, females … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,230 by Shed
A very enjoyable puzzle today – my favourites were 11ac, 17ac, 26ac, 21dn, and 22dn. Lots of thanks to Shed ACROSS 8 ZUCCHINI South African (half-cut) visits Sark etc, receiving cheers (also half-cut) … Read more >>
Independent 10,576 by Phi
It’s Phi-day again! We worked our way through this puzzle fairly steadily, although we were held up briefly by entering DREAD for 18ac before realising, when we couldn’t figure out 14d, that we’d … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1449: Lack of Education by Jaques
The initial grid is suffering from a lack of Education. Sounds familiar when I watch politicians on the news trying to understand simple maths and science. Several answers were too short for the … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,572 by ARTEXLEN
A fine Artexlen puzzle. Short of time this morning, so can't really do this justice at the moment, but this was a fantastic puzzle, keeping up the standard that has been shown across … Read more >>