Never knowingly undersolved
Every so often, Paul produces a puzzle that reminds me of why he used to be one of my favourite setters. Today is one of those days. There is an overt, but not … Read more >>
An enjoyable solve with some tricky bits of parsing. Favourites were 10ac, 13ac, 26ac, 3dn, and 9dn. Thanks to Matilda for the puzzle
A well-designed Quiptic: the usual tricks for beginners to learn, and nothing too obscure.
Lots of helpful anagrams and other straightforward constructions here (and not a single cryptic definition), making a puzzle that would be good for “beginners and those in a hurry”, to borrow the Quiptic’s … Read more >>
The first of Paul’s prize puzzles for 2022.
Good stuff from the Doctor, though I think without any of his trademark “lift and separate” clues. Thanks to Philistine, Across 1 TAILBACK Jam? In tagliatelle? (8)TAIL is hidden BACKwards in tagLIATelle … Read more >>
Thank you to Qaos. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Mark with spots led astray installing smartphone program (6) DAPPLE : Anagram of(… astray) LED containing(installing) APP(a computer programme for a … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28652.
I blogged last month’s Imogen puzzle, where I said, ‘Imogen sets the challenge today, with his customary medley of straightforward and some more tricky clues.’ I think that holds good today, too. I … Read more >>
There’s no escape from Anto today, since he’s also compiled the cryptic in the paper. This at least looked like it was written specifically as a Quiptic offering. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd … Read more >>
An enjoyable mix, with some tougher clues and tricky parsing. Favourites were 29ac, 4dn, and 25dn. Thanks to Anto for the puzzle
I foolishly started trying to solve this puzzle when I went to bed, pleasantly sozzled, at about 2am on New Year’s Day. I didn’t make too much progress before nodding off, and needed a clearer head in the late morning to get it finished…
A very enjoyable solve…
The impaler is in a fairly gentle mood today: a couple of entries may be unfamiliar, but are helpfully clued. Thanks to Vlad. Across 1 DEAN OF FACULTY Restructure due — can’t lay … Read more >>
Brummie is my first opponent in the 2022 parsing games.