Never knowingly undersolved
Thanks to Qaos, for a puzzle that started slowly. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 G Boycott breaks 24 — an astronomical event? (3,4) BIG BANG : [G + BAN(a boycott/an … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27912
It’s a while since I blogged a puzzle from Crucible, who has long been one of my top favourites, so it was good to find this one on another sunny morning. The last … Read more >>
A quick solve, followed by some head-scratching over several bits of parsing. I liked 1ac, 18ac, 1dn, 6dn, and especially 17dn. Thanks to Tramp for the puzzle.
Pan never disappoints in the Quiptic slot. Here’s a tractable, carefully constructed cryptic for a lazy Bank Holiday morning (where I live, at least). Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition … Read more >>
A bank holiday in some parts of the UK, and a typically gentle puzzle from Chifonie to accompany it, slightly spoiled for me by some inaccuracies in the clueing, as noted below. Thanks … Read more >>
This was one of those where I guessed most of the solutions from the definitions and then figured out the parsing later. Thank you Vlad.
I’m usually a big fan of Picaroon’s, but I didn’t think this was one of his best. There are some nice clues, of course, but also a couple of slightly dubious definitions. Still, … Read more >>
Thanks to Paul for a difficult one, due to the number of British politicians to be recalled. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Warmer on entering flat in south-central England? (9) … Read more >>
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27905.
I’m always pleased to see Puck’s name on a puzzle but I’m afraid he had the better of me this morning. I was badly caught out by my lack of knowledge of Chemistry … Read more >>
Thanks Matilda. A puzzle for those who like anagrams. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Delight for mad cats? Yes! (7) ECSTASY : Anagram of(mad) CATS? YES. 5 Unfairly blames husband … Read more >>
An odd experience solving and blogging – I delayed writing this blog thinking there had been a mistake as I’d seen this puzzle before. Looking at last weeks’ blogs and the comments on the Guardian site it seems that this was originally published online for a time in place of last Thursday’s Paul.
A quick solve even the first time round, and with some nice clues: my favourites were 9ac, 6dn, and 13dn. Thanks to Vulcan.
After an unusual three-week absence in the Prize slot, Paul pops up this week, which means that, for now, at least, he’s back to coinciding with my monthly blog. I really enjoyed this … Read more >>
As always, a pleasure to see Arachne. The special instructions “To mark a 200th anniversary: ’28, 26 down 9 17 15…” describe the theme…