A second Genius of the year from the ubiquitous and prolific Don, after number 225 back in March…
Guardian
Guardian Prize 28,901 / Picaroon
I would usually tackle the Saturday puzzle on the train on the way up to the York S and B – but not when it’s my blog: I like the solve and draft … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,906 by Picaroon
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28906.
Guardian 28,905 / Paul
An offering from Paul to please those with a sweet tooth and to brighten up a miserable wet morning. Paul has cleverly worked in two aspects of the sweet theme, as candy or … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,904 by Brummie
I had a quick start before getting stuck for a while on some of the trickier clueing. Favourites were 11ac, 28ac, and 16dn. Thanks to Brummie for the puzzle
Guardian 28,903 – Tramp
A gentle Tramp to lead us into November, with the SW corner holding me up longest, and two excellent long anagrams – something of a trademark for this setter. Many thanks to Tramp. … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,198/Hectence
Always a pleasure when a Hectence turns up in the Quiptic slot on my blogging day. The surface readings are pleasingly constructed in this puzzle, which is a feature of crosswords from this … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,902 by Anto
Anto is your Monday setter this week.
Guardian 28,895 / Vlad
I’m more used to seeing Vlad in the easier Monday slot, which we often do in our work crossword club, so it’s interesting to try a tougher challenge from this setter. As several … Read more >>
Guardian 28900 / Paul
The regular Guardian blogger is travelling today and unavailable to write the blog. I have ventured out of Independent and Inquisitor territory to stand in for him. Paul is a … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,899 by Matilda
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28899.
Guardian 28,898 / Brendan
I’m always pleased to see Brendan’s name on a puzzle I’m down to blog, confident that I’m in for an interesting challenge – albeit with a nagging anxiety about detecting a theme. The … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,897 by Nutmeg
As ever from Nutmeg, this was very enjoyable with some very neat clueing. My favourites were 11ac, 23ac, 7dn, 12dn, and 15dn. Thanks to Nutmeg for the puzzle
Quiptic 1,197 by Bartland
I believe we have a new Quiptic setter today; I haven’t come across Bartland before.
Guardian 28,896 – Vulcan
Mostly straightforward Monday fare, with one or two trickier moments, and a couple of words that might be unfamiliar to some. Thanks to Vulcan. Across 1 FLIPPED ONE’S LID Got enraged by … Read more >>