Guardian

It’s Monday, it’s Rufus, you know what to expect. Perhaps even more of his characteristic cryptic definitions than usual, but most of them are good fun. In any case, if I did have … Read more >>

Solving time: 8:54 A very enjoyable puzzle from Paul with no theme that I could see but a marvellous new word for me at 12dn. Music of the day: the magnificent 5dn, Dies … Read more >>

It only seems fair to give our Australian commenters first say about this fun puzzle from Auster. Across 1. PARTY HAT PARTY = “Do” + [t]HAT 5. OFFSET OFF = “inoperative” + SET … Read more >>

Maybe not as fiendish as some Thursday puzzles, but still tricky – I’m still in the dark about 10ac.  Some lovely clues today, especially 13dn and 11ac. Across 1. BUMPER. Double definition. 4. … Read more >>

A very enjoyable romp round theatre-land from Brendan, but also quite an easy one, for me anyway: it must have been one of my quickest solves for a while. The strange grid, with … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram What a delightful day. Dr G and … Read more >>

It’s Monday and Rufus is up to his usual tricks Across 1 PACIFISTS: and they don’t like to strike! 6 AGED: anagram of AGED 10 EVERY: E (cigarettE end) + VERY (a signalling … Read more >>

Solving time: Gave up on 3dn and 6dn after 15 mins. Maybe I should have spent longer on the two I couldn’t solve before turning to references, but the problem was that there … Read more >>

An unusual grid and an unusual theme, today.  I don’t think the answers ere particularly linked to the theme, mind you. Across 7. DEPOSED. SEEDPOD* 8. NOWHERE. WON<< + HERE. 9. REND. (cove)R … Read more >>

Nothing too difficult in this one. As always with Araucaria, some lovely clues and also some that make you go “hmm..”. Key: * = anagram dd = double definition < = reverse   … Read more >>

A welcome return for Orlando, with a generally straightforward puzzle, and at least one laugh out loud clue! Across 9   AGAIN: A + GAIN 10  GLADSTONE: GLAD [pleased] + STONE [14lbs]: William Gladstone: … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram What a delightful day this has been … Read more >>

A nice puzzle from Rufus, as usual on a Monday – there are a few clues which I’m not sure if I’ve parsed right, but I’m sure everyone will be able to clear … Read more >>

Solving time: 17:30 The preamble said that this was a ‘Fourth of July’ offering, the manifestation of which was the appearance of the word ‘state’ in many of the clues, sometimes referring to … Read more >>

Nothing too troublesome in this one, with quite a few easy anagrams to get me started. One or two quibbles about meanings noted below. Key: dd = double definition * = anagram   … Read more >>