What sort of MAJORITY is Ifor testing us with this week – is it a political majority – wafer-thin Brexitian or 80-strong Johnson-ian; a ‘coming of age’ majority; or a military major-ity, like Major Major in Catch-22?
Independent 10492 / Phi
Phi eases us into weekend Phi’s puzzles often test our general knowledge. There was certainly a good mix of topics today. I did wonder whether the bleach, lye and stomach … Read more >>
Guardian 28,146 – Tramp
A nice chewy puzzle from Tramp today, where everything is completely clear if you only read the clues in the right way. Very enjoyable: thanks to Tramp … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,489 by ARTEXLEN
A very enjoyable workout from a rare Friday setter. Thanks ARTEXLEN !! FF: 9 DD: 8 ACROSS 1 LAVISH Extravagant, somewhat like throne room? (6) cryptic def; read as LAV-ISH (like throne room) … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28145 Picaroon
Thank you to Picaroon for the challenge. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Society tries wrong random number generators (11) SONGWRITERS : Anagram of(… random) [S(abbrev. for “Society”) + TRIES WRONG]. … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,488 by GOLIATH
Goliath provides this morning's lockdown challenge in the FT. On first perusal, I thought I was going to be in for a long slog, with only 4 across clues and 7 down finding … Read more >>
Independent 10,491 by Serpent
This was very difficult, and it took me a long time. But everything seems to be sound (except in a couple of places, and if the past is anything to go by then … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,478 by Redshank
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of May 16, 2020
Financial Times 16,487 by MONK
A great puzzle again, but a tricky one. Thank you Monk. DADGAD is Celtic guitar tuning – see Wikipedia for the details. ACROSS 7 DOMICILE Note received by compliant home (8) MI (note, … Read more >>
Independent 10,490 by Eccles
Another fun Wednesday puzzle from Eccles. What can we say? All good clues, smooth surfaces, no unusual words. We did have to check 5ac as it was not a word we were totally familiar … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,144 by Philistine
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28144. A satisfyingly witty crossword from Philistine. Just from the way it seems as I solved it, I found 2D SARI a favorite. ACROSS 1 ASLEEP Please … Read more >>
Independent 10,489 / Crosophile
Crosophile has set this week’s Tuesday puzzle. I think that it is quite a while since I last blogged one of his crosswords. I found this to be a medium-difficulty puzzle, just right … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1647: Unlike the Rest by Panther
Unlike the Rest by Panther One letter must be omitted, wherever it occurs, from the answer to each clued entry. Wordplay and numbers in brackets refer to the mutilated answers to be entered … Read more >>
Guardian 28,143 / Brummie
Brummie provides an enjoyable challenge today, all fairly clued, with just a couple of less familiar words. Brummie’s puzzles often have a theme. All I can see here is a mini-thread at 1ac, … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,486 by GURNEY
A little stiffer than the Tuesday usual… … including some sort of record-bid at 26. Enjoyable. Many thanks to Gurney. ACROSS 1 PENALTY SHOOT-OUT Youth, top one, last to be involved in tie-break? … Read more >>