Good stuff from Aardvark as usual.
Independent 9,371 by Dac
For some reason I found this unusually hard for a Dac, but the trademark qualities are still all there — just as good as ever. Perhaps it was because there seemed to be slightly fewer clues than normal involving anagrams. I don’t know.
Definitions underlined.
Guardian 27,025 – Pan
Pan is a regular in the Quiptic slot, but this is his (?) third appearance on the Cryptic sde. As on previous occasions, many (perhaps most) of the clues were of Quiptic standard, … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1460: PW RBS by Base
Base – a new setter enters the fold. Preamble: Half of the 32 clues are normal. Two characters (to be written below the grid) together connect the 4 unclued perimeter entries and … Read more >>
Independent 9370 / Punk
We’re not giving anything away in the preamble when we state that there was an Olympian theme to the puzzle today. We may be missing something but the chosen Olympians seem to … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,024 by Nutmeg
Quick blog today, sorry!
Financial Times 15380 Sleuth
Thanks to Sleuth – an enjoyable crossword; tricky enough in some places to give me pause. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 9 Plain background – it disappeared from Berlin leader’s place? (9) … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 884/Moley
Moley always produces a good Quiptic for us, but there were one or two here which didn’t quite work for me. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Independent 9369/Hieroglyph
Not my cup of tea, but I’m sure others will have enjoyed it. Help on a couple, please. I’m not keen on these types of puzzles: an unhelpful … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,023 by Rufus
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27023.
Cyclops 584: ‘Trump’ed-Up Charges?
Sixteen days to go in the mud-slinging gutter-trawling (least-un)popularity contest that is the US election, and both Trump and Clinton references abound in this week’s Cyclops…hopefully he’ll have some closer-to-home Brexit machinations and … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,392 by Hypnos
Good stuff from Hypnos. Over the last few months there has been discussion on whether the IoS’s reputation for gentle puzzles still holds true. Here we have gentle and tricky in the same puzzle. Thanks Hypnos.
Everyman 3,654
Apologies for the delay, not sure what I did with the earlier write up.
AZED 2,315
Blogging these puzzles, having to explain every little detail, makes me appreciate AZED more and more. I even look forward to the sometimes dry as dust surfaces as a break from the never-ending quest for inventiveness one gets in modern cryptic puzzles. Plus I never get tired of looking stuff up in Chambers, which must make me look more than a little sad I know. Thank you AZED.
Independent Crossword 9368 by Morph
With Autumn in full swing an offering from Morph I felt there was a good variation in clue types in today’s crossword and many that made me chuckle. Always a good sign. Many short clues, … Read more >>