Guardian Quiptic 679 Pan

A straightforward enjoyable puzzle, just nice for a Monday.  Thanks to Pan.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links to the puzze.  Please enclose any comments … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25794 Arachne

A puzzle with wonderfully crafted clues – I think everyone of them has a clever, meaningful, and often, racy surface, and with lots of wordplay intertwined with the definitions – too many for me to … Read more >>

Financial Times 14160 Redshank

An enjoyable puzzle by Redshank, which might well have been compiled for a certain sporting event this year, but only now published.  References abound in the clues and answers.  Thank you, Redshank.  Definitions … Read more >>

Independent on Sunday 1185 Donk

A new setter for me. Some ingenious, tricky and innovative definitions, eg. “He”, “someone in bed”, “emissions”, “it’s”, and so on, and some interesting and misdirecting surfaces. I found this more difficult than the … Read more >>

Financial Times 14154 Neo

Another enjoyable puzzle from Tuesday  regular, Neo.  Quite straightforward, once one gets into it.  The N.E. corner was slow, though having cracked it, I don’t know why – apart from trying to find … Read more >>

Financial Times 14148 Gurney

An easy-going FT Tuesday, abound with anagrams and reversals – a warm-up for the more difficult ones later in the week?  Thanks to Gurney.  A pity there wasn’t a theme built around 17across.  Definitions … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25779 Rufus

A standard Rufus with the usual dds, cds and anagrams, and I guess the surface of 7 across is the nautical reference.  Thanks Rufus.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at … Read more >>

Financial Times 14142 Alberich

Approached this with trepidation as I didn’t have much success solving previous Alberichs, much less blog them.  Started off okay with the NE quadrant, then the SE, then considerably slowed down.  14across defeated me, … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25770 Paul

I had a very pleasant time solving this – a witty and clever puzzle.  My favourites were the clues with the mathematical signs, the setter managing to include the 4 most common.  Thanks … Read more >>

Financial Times 14136 Phssthpok

The NE corner took me longer than usual for a Phssthpok.  Thanks for the challenge, Phssthpok.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified links with the puzzle.]] Across … Read more >>

Financial Times 14130 Jason

Another enjoyable one from Tuesday regular Jason.  Plain sailing until the last one 19A. I got the answer, but it was one of the usually short ones that I can’t explain.  Called a friend, … Read more >>

Financial Times 14124 Neo

Occasionally, Neo lets us off the hook, with an easier than usual puzzle.  No complaints, though, and there were clues with excellent surfaces today.  Thanks to Neo.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  [[The … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 25755 Rufus

Another Monday Rufus.  Not one for the more advanced (though 27 did hold me up, why I now can’t see).  Thanks to Rufus, for the compact and smooth cluing.   Definitions are underlined in the clues.  … Read more >>