One for the Wodehouse fans among you.
Independent 9250 / Scorpion
A novel theme to today’s puzzle from Scorpion – one with which we are all probably familiar without really knowing why. What is it about 17ac that makes it a measure for the size … Read more >>
Financial Times 15260 Armonie
(Please click here for this same blog but with a picture quiz added. Please do NOT post hereinbelow any comment relating to the picture quiz. Thank you.) Thanks to Armonie for a crossword … Read more >>
Financial Times 15260 with Picture Quiz
(Please post comments on ONLY the picture quiz hereinbelow. To post comments on the crossword puzzle, please click here.) Thanks to Armonie for a crossword that didn’t present too much trouble. Definitions are … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 864/Moley
A fine Quiptic from Moley to get us off to a good start to the cryptic crossword week. She has given us concise but precise cluing; good surfaces; and a nice variety of … Read more >>
Independent 9,249 by Gila
I’ve not come across Gila much before but this was a solid offering which was generally at the easier end of the spectrum. Not sure if the name refers to the Gila monster, a type of lizard – perhaps the compiler will enlighten us.
Cyclops 574: Tumble-drying the nice clean money
A very quick solve this busy week, to my relief (more time for the garden!). Last one in was 12a. Special mention has to go to the anagram at 3d, and the wordplay … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26,903 by Rufus
The puzzle may be found athttps://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26903.
Independent 1,372 by Anglio
I remeber when the Independent on Sunday puzzle was a gentle stroll after lunch- not any more! I found this quite tricky. Thanks to Anglio for an interesting puzzle.
Everyman 3,634
Maybe a post-holiday malaise but I made heavy weather of this.
Guardian Genius 155, by Puck
6 months comes around quickly, and it’s my turn on the Genius slot once more. I thought this was a great puzzle. The device was fairly straightforward, but the standard of clueing, misdirection, … Read more >>
Azed 2295
A plain Azed puzzle this time generating the usual challenges. There were three compound anagram clues this week (13 across [NIKAU], 34 across [REDD] and 21 down [EJECTA]. They are … Read more >>
Independent Crossword 9248 by Donk
Well it’s a puzzle from Donk this week and a grid layout that I regard as one of the hardest with almost four distinct mini grids with minimal overlap. And yes it proved … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1227 – Thinking Outside the Box by Piccadilly
Thinking Outside the Box is an ‘enter where they will fit’ puzzle. These typically require a lot of cold solving, so we’re (more than usually) at the mercy of the setter. If the clues are very difficult, these take a great deal of work. So how much thinking – inside or outside the box – will Piccadilly’s puzzle require?
Guardian Prize 26,896 by Paul
I find Paul’s crosswords more varied than most of his contemporaries, one is never sure what one is going to get. It might be an easy-peasy puzzle or it might be a stinker; it could be serious or it could be puerile and frivolous. Today Paul is in fairly subdued mood, nothing outrageous but not completely serious either. Thanks Paul, please keep them coming.