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 >>
Guardian Prize 26,914 / Maskarade
Maskarade puzzles usually appear at Bank Holidays and, having blogged his Easter one, I wasn’t really expecting to see his name this week – but an alphabetical puzzle is always welcome on a Saturday. I … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,275 by WANDERER
One the day of the Brexit, if Wanderer was the setter, the solver/blogger could be aptly described as Flounderer.
Independent 9,265 by Phi
A Phi crossword of medium difficulty, I found, although it all seems perfectly straighforward now. The mark of a good setter, they say.
Definitions underlined and in maroon.
Guardian 26,919 – Philistine
In the light of this morning’s news I’m definitely not in a mood to enjoy crosswords, but trying to look at this one objectively I can see lots of ingenious clueing, including a … Read more >>
Guardian one-off cryptic / Boatman and crew
We were told that “1,5,17,9 will be tomorrow’s story” and advised to use a pencil. If you haven’t seen the puzzle and wish to solve it, don’t ‘Read the rest of this entry’, … Read more >>