Guardian

As usual, a really top quality puzzle from Brendan – great surface readings and some surprising wordplay. Thanks to IanN14 for pointing out the theme of U.S. presidents, Franklin PIERCE, Abraham LINCOLN, Andrew … Read more >>

An interesting theme today, I quite like having unclued elements when it’s clear which clues they apply to!  The old crossword staple of flower=river is used to good effect too. Across 1. SIDESHOW. … Read more >>

I had quite a struggle with the spider-woman this morning, with the result that I didn’t have much time for writing up the blog, so apologies if anything isn’t clear. Some nice clues … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite an interesting puzzle from a setter … Read more >>

As usual, some clever clues, plenty of cryptic definitions and nothing too difficult from Rufus. Across 1 PLATEAU =”highrise flat”. TEA in (Paul)* 5 BEARING double def 10 EGGS cryptic def with “clutch” … Read more >>

Solving time: 14 mins, 4 of which on 21dn (HALE-BOPP) and 31ca (PIPER). Brummie gave us another art-themed puzzle, following Araucaria’s epic jumbo last month. This time the artists were more traditional, but … Read more >>

An interesting Paul puzzle today with some tricks up its sleeve. Across 1. WARM-UP.  WAR(MU)P.  Mu is a greek character, so used in the Cyclades. 5. ERRANTRY. E.R. + RAN + TRY. 9. … Read more >>

A very enjoyable puzzle from Orlando, difficult enough to be a challenge but nothing outrageous. There are several nice clues where an anagram is cleverly concealed by the surface reading, Key: dd = … Read more >>

Pretty easy today, especially the very straightforward double definitions. Still enjoyable, and 25ac and 17dn made me smile. Across 9 CARGO SHIP O=”nothing” in (graphics)* 10 SIMON rev(IS) + MON[day] 11 INVALID double … Read more >>

dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram Quite an interesting puzzle with some varied … Read more >>

Another easy Rufus, with the usual crop of cryptic definitions, one or two of which I think are a bit lacking. Key: dd = double definition dd = cryptic definition * = anagram … Read more >>

Solving time: 14 mins The bottom left here took me as long as the rest of the puzzle. There was a birdy theme alluded to by 1ac (ORNITHOLOGIST), with MACAW and SWIFT appearing … Read more >>

A nice challenge from Araucaria today, with almost entirely Ximenean clueing. I was particularly pleased to be able get the Shakespearian references in 1ac and 9ac without assistance. Key: * = anagram dd … Read more >>

Not a lot of time this morning. 15a, 4d and 19d point to lots of ‘films’. Not sure how the cryptic works with any of them. Across 8 THANKS TO: anagram of THATS … Read more >>