Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 3, 2018
Derby Sloggers and Betters Day, Saturday 5th May 2018
Eileen and I are organising another Derby Sloggers and Betters Day on Saturday 5th May. Those who have attended such events already will know what it’s about. For those that haven’t been before, … Read more >>
Independent 9,802 by Punk
What a difficult puzzle this was. There were lots of clues that I just couldn’t do for a long time, but I hoped to be able to complete the blog to my satisfaction; which I thought was on, but as you will see below just failed.
The less than 50% checking in several of the answers irritated me and justified me in my failure to make faster progress; quite wrong of course. The actual clues were very good and I have no excuse.
Definitions underlined in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Financial Times 15,806 by GAFF
A smashing puzzle from Gaff. There is a lot to go at here. Thank you Gaff.
Guardian Cryptic 27,456 by Pasquale
THe puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27456.
Inquisitor 1532: Change of Entry by eXternal
A puzzle by eXternal … but not Clue Two IV (yet). Preamble: Single letter clashes occur in six cells and each should be resolved in favour of a third letter to make … Read more >>
Financial Times 15805 Peto
Thanks to Peto. Enjoyable, and with one answer that took (but shouldn’t have taken) me some time to parse satisfactorily. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 A consequence of abandoning Ulster (6) … Read more >>
Guardian 27,455 / Arachne
Sheer delight to find an Arachne puzzle this morning. I don’t think it’s too difficult, so there’s something here for everyone to enjoy – as always, lots of sparkling 1ac, with ingenious, witty … Read more >>
Independent 9801 / Serpent
Once again, we have to apologise to Serpent for another Bertandjoyce blog. We are certainly not complaining – hopefully Serpent won’t either. Our LOI was CARGO CULT which we had not … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 956/Moley
A sound Quiptic from Moley to start the week. Plenty of anagrams to get you going, all clearly clued and no obscurities. What a Quiptic should be, in my opinion. What did ‘beginners’ … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,454 by Nutmeg
A fine puzzle, slightly tough for a Monday with neatly misleading surfaces. Favourites were 11ac, 25ac, 28ac, 3dn, 19dn, and 24dn – thanks Nutmeg.
Independent 9800/Kairos
Congratulations to Kairos. That’s an L of an achievement. A pleasing and well-constructed puzzle for the Monday slot, and one which sees us celebrating Kairos’ fiftieth puzzle (for the Indy, … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,804 by ARMONIE
An enjoyable and straightforward Monday crossword. Thanks Armonie!
Everyman 3,725
A slightly harder for me to get going Everyman.
Independent on Sunday 1,463 by Peter
I enjoyed this. A “straightforward” puzzle in the best sense: traditional but not dull. Thanks Peter.