For me Io is by far and away the most problematic of the FT setters. Here is another puzzle where I have filled the grid but can’t explain all of my answers. Thanks Io for an intriguing puzzle and it is a great shame that I have no more time to ferret out the remaining explanations. Any help would be appreciated.
Guardian 26,923 / Imogen
I found this reasonably straightforward, with just one unfamiliar word – all fairly clued, as usual from this setter, with some very nice surfaces. Thanks to Imogen. Across 1 Made neat, because tangled … Read more >>
Independent 9269 / Dac
Another well-crafted puzzle from Dac today. We’d never come across 4ac before but once we had a few crossing letters it fell into place. Across 1 Thinking comic has forgotten introduction (6) MUSING … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1443: To Tear Up by Chalicea
Preamble: Thirteen solutions must be entered in an unconventional way. Their clues provide a hint. The shortest preamble ever? It’s certainly a contender. Experience tells me that “in an unconventional way” means “backwards” … Read more >>
Independent 9,268 / Math
Today is Tuesday, so a themed puzzle of one sort or another is to be expected. And Math, a compiler with whose work I have hitherto had only a passing acquaintance, has not … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26,922 by Bonxie
Very enjoyable – favourite was 26ac…
Financial Times 15,278 by HAMILTON
Solid cluing from Hamilton with some pleasing images in the surfaces.
Independent 9,267 by Punk
I found this extremely tough and almost ground to a halt completely a couple of times. But with some perseverence I managed to finish it.
Guardian Quiptic 867 Anto
The number of cds and dds is reminiscent of another setter’s style. Thanks to Anto. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 8 You can’t order it in a strange pub (3,5) THE … Read more >>
Guardian 26,921 – Rufus
I rattled through the top half of this very quickly, but for some reason took a little longer on the bottom. Some rather weak clues in my opinion, so not greatly to my … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,375 by Poins
You might think I should be on Poins’ wavelength by now, having had many months drawing Poins every time I blogged an Independent on Sunday puzzle. Instead I found this quite a challenge, … Read more >>
Azed 2298 ‘Dry Soldier’
I have a vague feeling that Azed has done a special of this kind before, but I could be wrong. (In case anyone hasn’t spotted it, the title “Dry Soldier” is an anagram … Read more >>
Everyman 3,637
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3637.
Independent 9266 / Tees
We found this a fairly straightforward Saturday challenge from Tees, but we’re too depressed by yesterday’s result to say any more. We did like the definition at 20 across however. Across 8 … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1230 Win, Lose or Draw by Maranga
A perimeter to be filled in with a maxim and its author – this depicts people who win or lose? And must be obeyed before entering all answers. A bit of a chicken … Read more >>