2016 – Page 43 – Fifteensquared

Financial Times 15,290 by SAYANG

Tue July 12, 2016 at 12:34 pm by Grant Baynham

One or two pleasing wrinkles in a very fair Tuesday puzzle from Sayang, a new setter to me.

Independent 9,280 by Scorpion

Tue July 12, 2016 at 10:18 am by John

Scorpion is never all that easy, but this wasn’t too bad. There were still several clues that detained me, but apart from one or two minor quibbles, everything seems to be fair.

Definitions underlined and in maroon.

Guardian Cryptic 26,934 by Boatman

Tue July 12, 2016 at 12:09 pmTue July 12, 2016 at 9:03 am by loonapick

A themed offering from Boatman

Quiptic 869 by Pan

Mon July 11, 2016 at 9:52 am by newmarketsausage

Pan’s turn in the Quiptic slot this week.

Independent 9279 eXternal

Mon July 11, 2016 at 7:30 am by Pierre

I’ve given up on saying that the Monday puzzle in the Indy is no longer ‘the easy one’. It was, but it isn’t any more. Fair play. I found this pretty hard, and … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 26,933 by Rufus

Mon July 11, 2016 at 3:45 am by PeterO

The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26933.

Good stuff as usual from Everyman. Apologies for the late appearance of the blog. You’re right: I forgot it was my turn. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1377/Raich

Sun July 10, 2016 at 12:01 am by Pierre

A bit tougher than the usual Raich, I thought. Or perhaps just me still recovering from England’s double exit from Europe, so brain not in gear. That said, there was … Read more >>

AZED 2,300/mishmash

Sun July 10, 2016 at 10:14 amSun July 10, 2016 at 12:01 am by ilancaron

Surprisingly easy — managed most of the puzzle while watching a replay of Germany/Italy. Probably had to make more trips to the chamberpot than to Chambers. Obviously I was distracted since more than a few sloppy parses pointed out by kind commentators!

Guardian Prize 26,926 by Picaroon

Sat July 9, 2016 at 5:55 am by bridgesong

An enjoyable challenge from Picaroon this week, with many subtle touches.

Enigmatic Variations 1232: Something Isn’t There by Samuel

Sat July 9, 2016 at 12:30 pmSat July 9, 2016 at 12:01 am by mc_rapper67

On first inspection of SOMETHING ISN’T THERE, I had a touch of the Rumsfelds – there are ‘known unknowns’, and there might well be some ‘unknown unknowns’… Will Samuel be using his weapons of … Read more >>

Independent Crossword 9278 by Serpent

Sat July 9, 2016 at 12:00 am by twencelas

A new setter for me to blog today. How devious is Serpent’s clueing? And is there anything hidden? A very enjoyable puzzle indeed. Some novel clues 10ac and 7dn were unusual but my … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,287 by BRADMAN

Fri July 8, 2016 at 4:10 pm by Turbolegs

A quick puzzle from Bradman this Friday, straightforward for 95% of the grid. A couple of clues were significantly tougher than the average for the crossword and that kept me from a finish that reflected the rapid start. Apologies for the late post, had saved a draft and then got tied up with some errands.

Independent 9,277 / Phi

Fri July 8, 2016 at 8:00 am by RatkojaRiku

Another working week comes to an end, with a puzzle by Phi to take us into the weekend. This was a medium-difficulty Phi puzzle, in my opinion. I managed to complete it unaided … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 26,931 by Brendan

Fri July 8, 2016 at 3:47 am by PeterO

The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26931.