Independent 10,551 / Serpent
A challenging and unusual puzzle awaited us this Thursday morning, set by Serpent. I think that I have managed to solve the puzzle correctly, although I found teasing out the wordplay in this … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28205 Nutmeg
Thanks to Nutmeg for an enjoyable puzzle; some nice wordplay indicators. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 8. Leading lady’s retreat just after party goes west (8) BALMORAL : MORAL(just/proper) placed after(after) … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,548 by NEO
Neo steps up to the plate this morning. When I saw 1 across, my heart sank as I can’t find a way to justify LIB = freedom. (see Hovis’s comment at 1, although … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,538 by Julius
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of July 25, 2020 There is no special reason I am aware of for a special puzzle this weekend but, thanks to Julius, we have one. Here … Read more >>
Guardian 28,204 / Shed
For some reason the scheduled blogger has been unable to turn up today so here is an analysis of the clues. Please excuse any typos but cataract removal has made viewing my monitor … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,547 by JULIUS
Another fun challenge. Thank you Julius. Lots of financial stuff in here. Ironically I never liked money, despite having worked in banks and financial institutions for years. ACROSS 1 RISK FREE Busy ferries … Read more >>
Independent 10550 / Eccles
Wednesday and Eccles is a pairing to look forward to. As ever, there were smooth surfaces in many clues, but the ones I liked particularly were those for POINT-TO-POINT, CRISIS … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1657: Trivial Pursuit by Opsimath
It’s been over a year since we last saw an Opsimath Inquisitor. This is Opsimath’s fourth puzzle in the series, but the first that I have blogged. Kenmac blogged all of the previous … Read more >>
Guardian 28,203 / Picaroon
I was surprised to see Picaroon’s name on this puzzle, less than two weeks since I blogged his last one. Needless to say, I am not complaining – but it’s too soon to … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,546 by HAMILTON
Well, what do you know, a (fairly) straightforward Hamilton. Solved at a fast jog this morning, with the long perimeter clues falling early to speed things up. A few "H'm" moments but also … Read more >>
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 >>