Independent 10,549 by Maize
Maize is always very good and this was no exception, although perhaps it was gentler than usual. It was still not all that easy though, and there were plenty of nice clues. Definitions … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,202 by Pan
A pleasant and nicely-clued start to the week – my favourites were 13ac, 17ac, 2dn, and 14dn. Thanks to Pan ACROSS 1 HOT-WATER BOTTLE Misguided betrothal to wet bedfellow? (3-5,6) (betrothal to … Read more >>
Independent 10,548 by Tees
Tees on a Monday for the third time in a row. Enjoyable as always, and mostly straightforward, though a few references may be unfamiliar to non-Brits. Tees always provides some amusing surfaces; 12/11 … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,081/Anto
A sound Quiptic from Anto this morning, with some nicely chosen anagrams to ease beginners and those still a little drowsy into the puzzle. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,545 by VELIA
VELIA kicks off the week… Firstly, I apologise if I’ve got 20d wrong. It was the last one in, and I couldn’t justify SPIN (or anything else for that matter). *** 20d is … Read more >>
Everyman 3,850/26 July
Another pleasing and tractable Sunday puzzle from Everyman, with the usual trademark clues. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator … Read more >>
Guardian Genius No 205 by Enigmatist
A puzzle by Enigmatist is always a challenge, but this wasn’t as hard as some recent Geniuses. The instructions read as follows: “Thirteen clues consist of wordplay alone and share the same missing … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,511 Plain
A plain puzzle with what almost amounts to a mini-theme. Unusually for Azed, not only is there one solution (16 ac) referred to in another clue (34 ac) but also another solution (14 … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1588 Hoskins
Thanks to Hoskins for an enjoyable solve. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Music producer Parisian thugs attacked (7,6) SPANISH GUITAR : Anagram of(… attacked) PARISIAN THUGS. 8 Primate touring southern … Read more >>
Independent 10,547 by Nimrod
The puzzle can be found here. Hello and Happy Yorkshire Day! I hope you are well. In my last Indy blog I said the crossword kept me occupied for rather longer than … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1444: A Waste of Time by Gaston
Hi all, I hope this blog finds you well. Having left the puzzle until far later than is wise, I was very relieved and grateful to find an EV which I could manage … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 28,195 by Paul
Two solutions ending in “loo”, yet no toilet references in their clues! In his invitation to his Zoom session (I didn’t participate) which coincided with the publication of this puzzle, Paul raised the … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,543 by BRADMAN
A slugfest with the Don’s challenge today. Thanks BRADMAN! Had to get help from the interwebs to confirm a couple of guesses. FF: 8 DD: 9 ACROSS 1 GASKET Request put in to … Read more >>
Independent 10,546 / Phi
It is Phi-day once again, bringing this latest set of mid-week puzzles to an end. I found this to be an enjoyable, medium-difficulty puzzle through which I made fairly swift progress. I would … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,200 by Paul
Another in a string of tricky puzzles over the past few days. Lots of fun, my favourites were 11ac, 15ac, 23ac, 26ac, and 18dn. Thanks to Paul …there’s an obvious fish theme in … Read more >>