Typically accurate stuff from today’s setter. Fun, too.
Inquisitor 1610: Escape to the Country by Harribobs
Ah! Harribobs again. Always tricky, but fair. The preamble, if long, seemed pretty straightforward. 15 clues where the wordplay gave an extra letter, these extra letters to spell out some assistance to solvers. … Read more >>
Independent 10,268 by Knut
An enjoyable puzzle from Knut, with a mini-theme; a few slightly obscure references but they’re all clearly clued.
Guardian Cryptic 27,922 by Pasquale
Pasquale provides a head-scratcher for us this morning.
Guardian Quiptic 1,034/Hectence
The Quiptic is 20 years old in November and Hectence was one of the first setters back in the early days. She should be good, shouldn’t she? Let me tell you something: she … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,267 by ARMONIE
Nice to see Armonie this morning with a well constructed puzzle with some great surfaces.
Independent 10,267/Italicus
Italicus made his Indy debut a year ago and featured around once a month till the spring. This is the first sight of him since then, but he’s very welcome, because this was … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,921 by Arachne
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27921.
Everyman 3,803
The Observer crossword from Sep 1, 2019.
I never thought it would happen but I actually quite like the Everyman crosswords nowadays.
Independent on Sunday 1,541/Nitsy
Nitsy is an infrequent setter for the Independent on Sunday, but always offers us a puzzle in the traditional IoS style – accessible, clearly clued and with no real obscurities or unusual devices. … Read more >>
Azed 2,464 Plain
Easier than usual I thought, but no less enjoyable. Thank you Azed.
Independent 10266 by Monk
With autumn well and truly here, Monk is the setter today. Always a pleasure to encounter Monk – possibly at his more devious today, though maybe I’m just not as quick as I … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1397 TT Chapter by Vismut
A misprint in the definitions of each clue. An unclued entry and 23 cells to highlight. Should be fun. My first thought was that this was at the easier end of the difficulty … Read more >>
Guardian 27,914 / Paul
This took a few sittings over the week for us to finish, but it was a very enjoyable process – lots of silliness and lovely surface readings. Thanks, Paul! Across 9. Big comedown … Read more >>
Independent 10,265 – Phi
I see with some surprise that I’ve been blogging of Fifteensquared for just over eleven years, but this, my 699th contribution, is the first for The Independent. Not surprisingly on a Friday, it’s a Phi, so thanks to him.