Whew, this challenging offering from Bobcat really had my neurons firing, not simply to complete the grid but also to figure out how to explain the parsing . . .
Cineraria
Guardian Prize 29,398 by Kite
Although I filled in this grid rather quickly, I (somewhat paradoxically) assess this set of clues overall as challenging and sophisticated. Nothing too exotic, but on clue after clue, I would write in an answer, then go back to puzzle out how I arrived at that solution. I would be interested to hear others’ experience.
Financial Times 17,753 by ARTEXLEN
As usual, Artexlen employs a wide variety of cryptic devices–nothing too exotic, but hardly a walk in the park, either.
Financial Times 17,740 by FALCON
The puzzle opens with this announcement:
Allan Scott, who compiled nearly 400 cryptic crosswords for the FT as Falcon, has died. A regular compiler for several other newspapers, he also set many Polymaths, the FT’s Saturday general knowledge puzzle. His guiding principles were that “the shorter the clue the better” and that in the contest between compiler and solver, “the solver should always win”. He worked right up until last month. This is his penultimate cryptic puzzle.
I for one will certainly miss this setter. This posthumous offering from Falcon displays his usual solid setting style . . . ,
Financial Times 17,734 by AARDVARK
Well, I feel as though I just managed to limp across the finish line on this one, owing to some rather challenging clues.
Financial Times 17,728 by SLORMGORM
A witty challenge, as usual, from Slormgorm, with many straightforward clues . . .
Azed No. 2,706 – Plain
Assuming that I have parsed everything correctly, I found this Azed less daunting than some of the recent offerings.
Financial Times 17,715 by SLORMGORM
Commendable work as usual from Slormgorm. Half of this was entirely straightforward . . .
Financial Times 17,709 by AARDVARK
Well, this turned out to be quite the challenge from Aardvark, with some difficult parsing on a few items, and about halfway through, I was not sure that I was going to be able to complete the puzzle. Some fortuitous crossers got me across the finish line.
Guardian Prize 29,350 by Carpathian
I cannot recall seeing Carpathian in the Prize slot before, although she is a familiar presence in the Quiptic. Apart from a couple of less familiar terms, this offering struck me as relatively straightforward.
Financial Times 17,703 by FALCON
I thought at first that I was going to breeze through this puzzle, but this offering from Falcon comprises a nice assortment of clues, the latter portion of which required me to think a bit.
Financial Times 17,690 by MOO
I found this very challenging for a Tuesday, and about halfway through, I was not sure that I was going to be able to finish this for the blog.
Azed No. 2,700 Plain
A few flashes of insight finally got me into the groove on this pleasant puzzle . . .
Financial Times 17,684 by LEONIDAS
I enjoyed this–nothing too strenuous or obscure, but some delightful innovations and economical cluing from Leonidas.
Financial Times 17,678 by GURNEY
A solid puzzle with some elegant surfaces from Gurney . . .