A fairly gentle puzzle from Crucible today…
Andrew
Guardian 27,999 – Vulcan
The usual Monday mixture from Vulcan: some nice clues, but also a couple that at distinctly on the weak side. Thanks to Vulcan. I wonder if tomorrow’s puzzle number 30,000 will bring something … Read more >>
Azed 2477
The last competition puzzle before the Chrtistmas special, and a fairly gentle one (after the initial hurdle of it not being available on the website till Monday). Thanks to Azed. … Read more >>
Guardian 27,997 – Nutmeg
A puzzle of the high quality we’ve come to expect from this setter; not too hard (though I struggled slightly to finish the SE corner), but very satsfying and enjoyable. Thanks to Nutmeg. … Read more >>
Guardian 27,990 – Tramp
A nice mix of clues from Tramp today, with nothing too obscure; perhaps the old jumper may be unfamiliar to younger or non-UK solvers. No theme or Nina that I can see, though … Read more >>
Guardian 27,983 – Imogen
Quite a tricky one from Imogen today, with a few words that may be unfamiliar to some, but also some easier clues to get things started. Thanks to Imogen. … Read more >>
Guardian 27,976 – Brummie
This was one of those puzzles where I was staring at a nearly empty grid for a long time, and then everything, or almost everything, fell into place quite quickly. Getting the long … Read more >>
Guardian 27,969 – Orlando
Once a regular setter, Orlando only appears rarely these days, so it was a delight to see his name on today’s puzzle, especially after the equally welcome surprise of fellow old-timer Brendan on … Read more >>
Guardian 27,967 – Brendan
I was confidently expecting today’s setter to be Paul, but it was certainly no disappointment to see Brendan instead (not that I have anything against Paul). We have a theme, of course, pointed … Read more >>
Azed 2471
It gets harder and harder to say anything new about Azed – just another top-quality puzzle, as ever. I thought I’d caught him out in an error in 22d, but not surprisingly the … Read more >>
Guardian 27,960 – Nutmeg
A delightful puzzle from Nutmeg; not difficult, but with elegant and witty clueing throughout, and some nicely concealed definitions. I was helped by spotting the Nina early on: around the perimeter we have … Read more >>
Guardian 27,953 – Philistine
A very enjoyable puzzle from Philistine today. I found it quite a quick solve, helped by gentle clueing for the four long answers around the outside of the grid. Thanks to Philistine. … Read more >>
Guardian 27,939 – Vulcan
Unusually, no cryptic definitions from Vulcan today, but instead we have nine double defs, though a couple of them barely qualify. Mostly very straightforward clueing, but I’m unable to parse 15 across. (See … Read more >>
Guardian 27,937 – Picaroon
A clever construction with the usual excellent clueing by Picaroon today.
Guardian 27,930 – Qaos
Another enjoyable puzzle from Qaos, which I found quite tricky in parts. One down was an early answer, and it alerted me to the possibility of a film theme. From JAWS I guessed … Read more >>