General Discussion
This post is for the discussion of general crossword related matters and other topics of interest. Comments posted before 9/9/20 can be found here. This post is now closed. New comments can be … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,517 by AARDVARK
Apologies for the late post everyone. Thank you Aardvark. ACROSS 1 RICKSHAW Strain’s shown by husband and wife pursuing a people carrier (8) RICK’S (strain, of the neck) by H (husband) and then … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,174 by Brummie
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28174. That slipped down fairly easily. Brummie often has a theme, but I do not see one here. ACROSS 1 UNDERHAND Labourer’s assistant could be so devious … Read more >>
Independent 10,520 by Alchemi
All very pleasant and what we usually expect on a Wednesday — a fairly gentle but not totally easy crossword with some nice clues. It seems to be perfectly sound (I’m quite happy … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1652: Mirror Image III by Serpent
Serpent: no bars, no numbers just like the previous one I blogged last month, but otherwise normal (no corrections/drop-outs, no thematic way to enter answers). Preamble: Clues are presented in the usual … Read more >>
Guardian 28,173 / Crucible
I’m always pleased to see Crucible’s name on a puzzle and it seems a long time since I blogged one of his. I enjoyed solving this – there are some nice clues here … Read more >>
Financial Times 16516 Sleuth
Thanks to Sleuth. Definitions are underlined under the clues. There are a number of clues/solutions connected to food, and to mental states, whether coincidentally or not. Across 1 Merriment shown by artist in … Read more >>
Independent 10,519 by Atrica
You never know who to expect on Tuesday ……… …. but we do expect a theme. We guessed it could be SYMPHONIES having noticed UNFINISHED and PASTORAL in the completed grid. We … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,076/Pasquale
Pasquale doesn’t often compile the Quiptic, but when he does, you know that it will be sound as a pound. This would be a good one to sit down and do with a … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,515 by VELIA
A satisfying solve this morning with a dependably good challenge from Velia. Almost a pangram but not quite – just missing Q and Z. I enjoyed the contronyms. A couple of solutions required … Read more >>
Independent 10,518/Raich
We don’t see Raich in the Indy as often as we used to, so I was pleased to find his name at the top of the puzzle this morning. I found this one … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,172 by Vulcan
A nice start to the week with a lot of neat cluing – my favourites were 14ac, 25ac, 27ac, 8dn, and 20dn. Thanks to Vulcan. ACROSS 9 ONE-LEGGED Needing support, being half … Read more >>
Cyclops 679 – Stir-Crazy Cabinet Meeting
We are well into ‘post-Covid’ setting now, with ‘lockdown’ and ‘coronavirus’ both getting a mention in the clues. Lockdown frustration still seems to be getting the better of Cyclops, with lots of sexual … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,583 by Wire
All good fun. Thank you Wire. ACROSS 1 SHAKEDOWN Extortion in America? Arab chief audibly unhappy (9) SHAKE sounds like (audibly) “sheik” (Arab chief) then DOWN (unhappy) 6 TIFF Twisted healthy wolf’s … Read more >>
Everyman 3,845
Everyman’s recent run of slightly harder puzzles continues – but it’s an enjoyable one. As usual some of the definitions involve a bit of lateral thinking, and the wordplay in 25a is not … Read more >>