Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 11, 2020
Financial Times 16,380 by AARDVARK
The grid looks like ought to have some theme in there, but nothing obvious comes to mind. Thank you Aardvark. ACROSS 1 IAMBIC Current Australian doctor in charge of feet (6) I … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,036 by Vlad
As often, difficult solve from Vlad – and with some tricky parsing to work out afterwards. Favourites were 24ac, 7dn, and 16dn. Thanks to Vlad.
Independent 10382 / Eccles
Eccles is a regular setter of Wednesday Independent puzzles. He provides a puzzle that usually avoids messages and themes. His puzzles would be a good starting point for solvers getting into cryptic crosswords. … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,379 by BASILISK
A fine puzzle with several unusual constructions and a tribute hidden within…
Inquisitor 1629: Shortages by eXtent
A puzzle from eXtent this week The preamble told us that six entries are affected by shortages; answers to the corresponding clues must be entered as jumbles. Superfluous letters, spelling out a two-word … Read more >>
Guardian 28,035 – Qaos
A typically entertaining and reasonably straightforward puzzle from Qaos today – thanks to him.
Independent 10,381 by Alchemi
Apart from my vague grumblings over the use of ‘possibly’, and what seems to me to be a bit doubtful in 26dn, Alchemi has as usual produced a very neat and enjoyable crossword. … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1053 Pan
Thanks Pan for a Quiptic that’s just at the right level. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 8 Not old enough to destroy deer with a gun (8) UNDERAGE : Anagram of(to … Read more >>
Independent 10380 by Tees
Some very smooth surface readings from Tees today.
Guardian Cryptic 28,034 by Chifonie
A pleasant Monday solve.
Financial Times 16,378 by ZAMORCA
ZAMORCA kicks off the working week… I’ve yet to check the print version, but certainly the online version had the added challenge of showing the wrong grid. It wasn’t far off though. Nothing … Read more >>
Private Eye ( Cyclops/668 ) Kinky Fatwa
A mixed bag of difficulty here.
Everyman 3,822/12 January
Another sound Sunday puzzle from Everyman. Last week we had different clues in the online and dead-tree versions; this week we have a lack of spacing in some clues where Everyman has chosen … Read more >>
Azed 2483
Not too hard on the Azed scale, but as always I leaned some new words (most of which I will probably forget until the next time they tirne up) and a few interesting … Read more >>