“Clues are presented in alphabetical order of their answers, which must be entered where they will fit. Seven clues consist of wordplay only; on entry, their answers must be replaced with MORE. However, only six of these expansions fit in the grid; the seventh must be highlighted. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended; one answer is in Collins.”
Financial Times 16,011 by BRADMAN
An unusual challenge from BRADMAN this Friday , largely due to the wide spectrum of difficulty levels of the clues as well as an inordinate number of double definitions. Thanks BRADMAN !!
Independent 10,008 by Phi
There were a few rather rare words in this crossword which I won’t mention here since a passing observer won’t want them to be given away, but you will know what they are. However, they were all as usual fairly and well clued by Phi.
Definitions, underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Guardian Cryptic 27,662 by Enigmatist
Very tough, even once the grid filled up – several unfamiliar expressions and a lot of tricky parsing. Favourites 1ac, 21ac, and 18dn. Thanks to Enigmatist.
Guardian 27,661 – Picaroon
This one needed a bit of research…
Independent 10,007 by Wire
We were out of the country and without internet access when Wire’s first puzzle was published. When we eventually were able to solve it, we completely missed the theme and it was rather late in the day to welcome Wire to the Indy. We are glad then to have his second puzzle to solve – hopefully Mrs Wire had no complaints this time!
Financial Times 16,010 by GURNEY
Gurney provides this morning’s entertainment.
Financial Times 16,000 by Julius
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 27, 2018
Financial Times 16,009 by JULIUS
More of the good stuff from Julius. Thank you again.
Guardian Cryptic 27,660 by Paul
Don’t try to tackle this one before you’ve had a strong cup of coffee.
Independent 10,006 / Tees
Tees has supplied the Wednesday puzzle this week. The Wednesday slot for many years was the preserve of Dac, whose sad death was announced last week. Dac’s puzzles, with their tight clueing and … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1566: Alter Ego by Kruger
Bit of a slog, this one, with huge numbers of “noise” words in the clues and a slight ambiguity in the final instruction. The rubric (long and complex) read: Half of the clues … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,008 by ARMONIE
Tough stuff for a Tuesday, I thought…
Independent 10005 / Vigo
An interesting puzzle from Vigo today Whenever I see a puzzle with thirty-eight clues I reckon there must be something going on in the grid. It took me a long … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,659 by Tramp
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27659.