Medium-hard for a Tuesday, with some cunningly-hidden short definitions.
Guardian 27,736 – Pasquale
This was very much a puzzle of two halves for me: I filled in all the right-hand side quite quickly, but the left took much longer. As usual with Pasquale we have a … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1003 Anto
The last couple in were difficult for me. Thanks to Anto. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Moron had misinterpreted doctor’s prime directive (2,2,4) DO NO HARM : Anagram of(… misinterpreted) … Read more >>
Independent 10,081 by Alchemi
A fairly straightforward solve this morning, but covering a very wide range of subjects. I know some solvers complain about clues requiring (not very) general knowledge. But one of the things I love … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,082 by VELIA
Monday begins with VELIA, who we have not seen before…
Guardian Cryptic 27,735 by Chifonie
The week kicks off with Chifonie’s Monday puzzle.
Private Eye/Cyclops 643 Resentful Toffs
I thought this was going to be over too soon. I swept through most of the top half after getting 1a and 4 with ease delivering all those first letters, (I wondered about … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,510 by Poins
The puzzle can be found here. Hi all. Thanks to Poins for today’s Independent, which I enjoyed but had a little trouble with at the very end. I don’t want to be down … Read more >>
Genius No 187 by Vlad
A tougher than usual Genius for January, employing a device that I don’t recall seeing before.
Azed No 2,433
I only remembered that I was due to blog this puzzle on Saturday evening, having solved one clue on Sunday and then having put the puzzle aside. Panic stations!
Everyman 3,772
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3772.
Independent 10,080 by Nimrod (Saturday Puzzle 2 February 2019)
OK – it’s a Nimrod – and it has five 15-letter solutions, two 12s, two 11s and a couple of 10s…stiff upper lip and press on… Rather than attacking the 3s and 4s, … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,728 / Paul
Unsurprisingly, Paul appears in his customary fortnightly Prize slot and thus coincides with my monthly blog. This was a challenge worthy of a Prize puzzle and I enjoyed solving it. I’m not always … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1366 – The Clash by Auctor
“THE CLASH will be on stage thirteen times. One set of letters (according to definitions when read in clue order) gives two names, whilst the other set spells the names of three adversaries; a generic name for the former pair appears in the circles. All grid entries are given by wordplay, and Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Guardian Cryptic 27733 Paul
This was a bit daunting at the beginning. Thanks Paul. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Rider went, doing a backflip, one that’s out of this world (4,5) DEEP SPACE : … Read more >>