Guardian Genius / 89
A very nicely constructed crossword, with a “word chain” (missing alternate links) running through the 6 letter answers. The complete chain (with the missing links emphasized) is: 1d BOTHER / HERBAL / 3d … Read more >>
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Guardian 25,179 (Sat 27 Nov)/Araucaria – Hob story
Solving time: 16 mins, one mistake (HOBBEMA at 24ac) This crossword was themed on the song Rising Early in the Morning from The Gondoliers by Gilbert and Sullivan, which contains the following verse: … Read more >>
Guardian 25,184 / Brummie
I never quite know what to expect from Brummie, so was a bit 9ac when I started this puzzle. I needn’t have worried – it turned out to be quite straightforward and a … Read more >>
Guardian 25,183 – Arachne
This was mostly straightforward, with a few very obvious clues, but there was some good fun too – I liked 14ac, 27ac, and especially 18dn. Sometimes the clues took a bit of working … Read more >>
Guardian 25182 / Shed
Well, I learnt a new word today, at 2 down, having toyed with TRIBALISM, thinking BALI was the island, before deciding I couldn’t make it fit the word play. There is no doubt that … Read more >>
Guardian 25,181 Paul for Autumnal Treat
I might have guessed that on the day of the first Meet The Guardian Team that the featured setter would have his puzzle published. Well, I have travelled some 7,000 miles to a … Read more >>
Guardian 25,180 / Brendan
Sorry for a very rushed post today – there’s part of 22 across that I can’t see, I’m afraid. This was an excellent puzzle from Brendan – my favourites here in particular are … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 576/Hectence
A pleasing puzzle from Hectence, with a couple of very clever clues as well as some tricky ones. Well, I found them tricky, but that could be because I stayed up far too … Read more >>
Guardian 25,173 (Sat 20 Nov)/Bonxie – Cobblers
Solving time: 14 mins This may have been Bonxie’s first prize puzzle in the Guardian, in which case my congratulations to the setter. There were some nice ideas here but on close analysis … Read more >>
Guardian 25,178 – Puck
Puck is always entertaining, and sometimes quite tricky, and this was certainly a lot of fun. I found most of it not too difficult, but the NW corner held me up for a … Read more >>
Guardian 25,177 / Paul
I’m a late substitute today, so apologies for any errors or omissions. I had plenty of smiles – and some outright laughs – with this entertaining Paul puzzle. There’s just one query – … Read more >>
Guardian 25,176 / Crucible
Crucible’s puzzles are a real treat, but sadly a relatively rare one. As you’d expect if you’ve done this setter’s puzzles before, this was pretty tough, and particularly one for those who like … Read more >>
Guardian 25,175 Gordius – Blogging in Brrritain
It was 3am in London when I started to write this blog and the temperature outside was zero. The call of the blog duty must be very strong; hence this surreal scene of … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic nº 575, by Pan
An entertaining puzzle from Pan, with some delightful surfaces and a variety of resources. ACROSS 1. ARMISTICE Charade of AR(ab) + I(n) C(harge) in an anagram of *TIMES 6. CREAM Charade of E(xtasis)=’drug’ … Read more >>
Guardian 25,174 / Rufus
It’s Monday, it’s Rufus, with the usual elegant mix of story-telling anagrams and cryptic and double definitions. I have one real quibble, which I think is a typographical error and / or editorial … Read more >>