Guardian Saturday puzzle 28,207 / Philistine
It’s always a real treat for me to solve and blog (particularly on a Saturday, when there’s more time to ponder over and savour the clues and do some background research) a puzzle … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28212 Crucible
Thanks to Crucible for the themed puzzle. (I probably need correcting for one of the parsings.) Definitions are underlined in the clues. The theme is “clothing”. Across 9. Anonymous report about duke getting … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,555 by GOLIATH
An intriguing challenge from an uncommon Friday setter. Thanks Goliath, for the treat! FF: 9 DD: 9 ACROSS 1, 5 SPIRIT OF THE AGE He composed with a gift to inspire 12 (6,2,3,3) … Read more >>
Independent 10,558 by Phi
As I’m used to saying, a thoroughly efficient and workmanlike crossword from Phi. In one or two cases there are marginal criticisms and in one place the parsing defeats me, but hell, we … Read more >>
Independent 10,557 by Monk
It’s been over six months since we last blogged a Monk puzzle – we were looking forward to this. We found this puzzle slightly less challenging than we had expected, but none the … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,554 by SLEUTH
A comparatively straightforward puzzle in this morning's FT Sleuth's latest offering is a solid puzzle which required very little general knowledge (apart, possibly, for HONOUR =ACE), and there were no particularly tricky diversions … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,211 by Qaos
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28211. Firstly, my apologies for missing my slot here last week; I was raring to go, but even if Hurricane Isaias had been downgraded to a Tropical … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,544 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 1, 2020 In this very divided grid, I started with 30 ac (RED GIANT), completed that bottom-right quadrant and then worked around each quadrant in … Read more >>
Independent 10,556 / Bluth
My apologies for the late posting. I am on the Belgian coast this week and internet access has been sporadic to say the least. Bluth, one of the latest additions to the Indy … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,553 by GOZO
An interesting themed puzzle, which I think will be accessible to most. Thank you Gozo. The theme is motor vehicle manufacture, makes and models. In real life Gozo is a bus enthusiast and … Read more >>
Guardian 28,210 / Pasquale
Pasquale provides today’s midweek challenge. As usual, we have a wide range of subject-matter – geography, politics, philosophy, theology, history, science, with a couple of popular musicians for good measure. Again, … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1658: More Than One Problem by Ifor
Ifor is a frequent setter, this is his 31st puzzle and his third this year. None of them is easy! Each down clue contains a letter that must travel up or down within … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,209 by Brummie
Thanks to Brummie for a fun puzzle – tricky in parts and with a slightly unhelpful grid… …but the fairly obvious chemistry theme made this a quick solve overall. Favourites were 15ac, 25ac, … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,552 by GURNEY
A satisfying Tuesday puzzle with some head-scratching parses and a couple of smiles, Done and dusted in two-and-a-half passes but none the less enjoyable for that. Thanks to Gurney. ACROSS 1 SOMERSAULT In … Read more >>
Independent 10555 / Wire
Wire provides the challenge today There were a lot of secret agent references in the clues and entries with all of the following words or names included somewhere in the … Read more >>