As often, difficult solve from Vlad – and with some tricky parsing to work out afterwards. Favourites were 24ac, 7dn, and 16dn. Thanks to Vlad.
Guardian
Guardian 28,035 – Qaos
A typically entertaining and reasonably straightforward puzzle from Qaos today – thanks to him.
Guardian Quiptic 1053 Pan
Thanks Pan for a Quiptic that’s just at the right level. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 8 Not old enough to destroy deer with a gun (8) UNDERAGE : Anagram of(to … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,034 by Chifonie
A pleasant Monday solve.
Guardian Prize 28,027 by Paul
A very tough puzzle this week: Paul on top form! Has somebody bought Paul a dictionary of (outdated) slang? Quite a few examples (heavens to Betsy, my hat, beano and of course, “him … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28032 Boatman
This was a bit of a slog. Thanks (I think) to Boatman. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Boatman catches a crab — strangely shocking (7) MACABRE : ME(Boatman, the setter, … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,031 by Imogen
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28031. Not too difficult, with some amusing clues, but I do not know what to make of 22D JAMMY. Any suggestions welcome. ACROSS 1 SUBATOMIC Very tiny … Read more >>
Guardian 28,030 / Paul
Paul moves to the midweek slot today. A fairly typical medley of clues, I think: some good [10,7, 22, 23, 26,2ac, 13dn], some quirky [11ac, 6dn] some bland [15 and 20ac, 21 and … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,029 by Tramp
A very nice mix of clues – 4ac, 8ac, 10ac, 24ac, 1dn, and 9dn were particular favourites. Thanks to Tramp
Guardian Quiptic 1,052/Anto
Anto’s first offering of 2020, which didn’t have much to recommend it as a Quiptic, in my opinion. As always, you may think otherwise. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double … Read more >>
Guardian 28,028 – Pan
Quite tricky in parts for a Monday puzzle, I thought, but good fun. Thanks to Pan. Across 1. PIT STOP Pause during race to turn top on … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 28,021 by Puck
Very entertaining, put a smile on my face. Thank you Puck. ACROSS 8 FIRE DOOR Got rid of jumper after a flipping emergency exit (4,4) FIRED (got rid of) then ROO (kangaroo, … Read more >>
Guardian 28,026 – Picaroon
I found this pretty easy going most of the time, though the SE corner held me up a little, but with all the wit and ingenuity we exapect from this setter. Thanks to … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,025 by Nutmeg
A tricky but enjoyable challenge today. As always, Nutmeg provides lovely surfaces, some of them also very neatly concise: 15a, 19a and 24d for example. She also enjoys definitions ranging from the slightly … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,024 by Brummie
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28024. I thought this a very good puzzle from Brummie. He often has a theme, but if there is one here, it escapes me. I particularly liked … Read more >>