The preamble tells us that there is an UPLIFTING sentiment found in five sides of the perimeter. However, the grid is a square, so what does this mean?
Financial Times 15,512 by PETO
A breezy challenge from Peto this Friday.
Independent 9,505 by Phi
This must be the smallest 15×15 crossword ever published in a national daily, having only 20 clues. The Times Quick Cryptic, which is 13×13, seldom has so few clues, but really this is one of the few 13×13 cryptics of 20 clues, with some answers lengthened. Four long acrosses and four long downs are the reason for the brevity. Phi has managed to make it all look sensible enough, though, and it must have been quite difficult to fit those long answers in.
As usual all very pleasant, as we have come to expect from Phi.
Definitions underlined and in maroon.
Guardian 27,159 – Tramp
Once again Tramp has produced a puzzle with lots of thematic references in the clues, but without the need for solvers to know anything about the theme. It’s not giving anything away to … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,511 by SLEUTH
Couldn’t finish this one…
Independent 9504 / Tees
It took us a little while to get into Tees’ offering today, but in preparing the blog, we’re not quite sure why. Apart from a couple of references that we had to check … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27158 Brummie
Quite a straightforward puzzle. Thanks to Brummie. Definitions are underlined in the clues… A theme of outer space and its exploration: MOON, lunar LANDING, spaceWALK and MOONWALK, DOCKING, CAPSULE, ECLIPSE, APOLLO and GEMINI … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,502 – Gaff
Monday Prize Crossword / Mar 20, 2017
Gaff and ‘Happy Birthday’ are almost synonymous.
March 20? Now, let’s see. Can only be one, surely.
Financial Times 15,501 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 18, 2017 I found this fairly hard but managed to complete it without help, except for looking up ‘numbat’ (3d). My clue of the week … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,510 by JULIUS
An excellent puzzle from Julius, as we have come to expect. Thank you Julius.
Independent 9,503 / Dac
Although it is the last Wednesday of the month, when we might expect a stand-in compiler for him, Dac is here nonetheless with his latest puzzle, fidèle au poste! I actually found this … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,157 by Boatman
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27157.
Inquisitor 1482: Changes by Lato
I am sure that the erudite among you would not have had to google the key phrase as I did, but this was a very entertaining offering from Lato with an excellent PDM … Read more >>
Guardian 27,156 / Imogen
Something of a challenge from Imogen this morning. I entered only a few answers on the first run through and I thought I might be in for a rough time. However, I was never completely … Read more >>
Independent 9502 / Radian
Radian provides us with one of those themed puzzles where you don’t need to spot the theme. . The theme was digging for archaeological evidence or buried treasure with many entries … Read more >>