Fifteensquared – Page 594 – Never knowingly undersolved

Guardian Genius 197 / Soup

Sun December 8, 2019 at 12:05 am by Gaufrid

A tricky one this month that took me far longer to solve than a puzzle in this series normally does. The instruction was clear enough: ll vwls hv bn rmvd frm bth cls nd … Read more >>

Azed 2477

Sun December 8, 2019 at 12:05 am by Andrew

The last competition puzzle before the Chrtistmas special, and a fairly gentle one (after the initial hurdle of it not being available on the website till Monday). Thanks to Azed. … Read more >>

Everyman 3,816

Sun December 8, 2019 at 12:01 am by PeterO

The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3816. Everyman is mostly on a back-to-basics kick this week, although there is the &lit clue at 9A NERVOUS TIC, where the entire clue doubles as definition … Read more >>

Independent 10,344 by Klingsor

Sat December 7, 2019 at 8:07 am by Bertandjoyce

An enjoyable solve today with a couple of definitions which needed checking. There were a couple which had us scratching our head due to clever misdirections until we suddenly realised that A = … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 27,992 / Picaroon

Sat December 7, 2019 at 8:15 pmSat December 7, 2019 at 12:02 am by Eileen

Our crossword Editor continues to surprise us: after a week without a Paul puzzle, it seemed that he must be going to slip into the Prize slot for the second week running [which … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1410 – G&T by Xanthippe

Sat December 7, 2019 at 4:33 pmSat December 7, 2019 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

“In G&T, clues are given in two groups headed by the two numbered wordplay-only clues. Within each group, the clues are given in the normal order and either the clue (starred), or answer, requires thematic treatment, always involving a single letter. All answers and entries are real words, numbers in brackets refer to entry lengths. Solvers must highlight 11 letters in the completed grid and write two thematic words (10, 8) under the grid. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”

Guardian 27,997 – Nutmeg

Fri December 6, 2019 at 8:53 am by Andrew

A puzzle of the high quality we’ve come to expect from this setter; not too hard (though I struggled slightly to finish the SE corner), but very satsfying and enjoyable. Thanks to Nutmeg. … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,343 by BRADMAN

Fri December 6, 2019 at 8:47 am by Turbolegs

Solid workout from Bradman this Friday. Thanks Don.

Independent 10,343 by Phi

Fri December 6, 2019 at 5:22 pmFri December 6, 2019 at 12:45 am by John

Not quite the pleasant solving experience one is used to with Phi, but good nevertheless. Perhaps my lack of enthusiasm is because I found it rather difficult. Help needed please on 26ac. Definitions … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 27996 Pasquale

Thu December 5, 2019 at 10:13 am by scchua

Thank you to Pasquale. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Primate in role, as protection against the enemy? (7) PARAPET : APE(a primate – the mammal that’s not of the clerical … Read more >>

Independent 10,342 by Serpent

Thu December 5, 2019 at 8:03 am by Bertandjoyce

Serpent fills the Thursday spot this week. Overall, we found much of this rather less challenging than we have come to expect from Serpent, but one or two clues did cause some head-scratching … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,342 by NEO

Thu December 5, 2019 at 7:19 am by loonapick

Not as difficult as the mini-theme might suggest…

Financial Times 16,332 by Mudd

Thu December 5, 2019 at 12:01 am by Pete Maclean

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 24, 2019

Independent 10,341 / Flitwick

Wed December 4, 2019 at 4:03 pm by RatkojaRiku

Flitwick, one of the latest additions to the Indy compiling team, has provided this week’s Wednesday puzzle. This is certainly my first attempt at solving and blogging a puzzle set by Flitwick, and … Read more >>

Financial Times 16,341 by JULIUS

Wed December 4, 2019 at 9:57 am by PeeDee

Interesting and absorbing to both solve and blog. One clue I can’t explain, so any help appreciated. Thanks Julius. ACROSS 1 BALLROOM DANCING Strictly speaking, FT when not abbreviated? (8,7) I can’t … Read more >>