Guardian Quiptic

As usual, Anto operates towards the trickier end of the Quiptic range, but there are some straightforward clues that should (I hope) get beginners started here. We have some classic crossword tricks (sign, … Read more >>

Beale was one of the original setters way back in the day when the Quiptic launched over twenty years ago before disappearing from the scene, but has reappeared recently. Whether he or she … Read more >>

Thank you to Pasquale. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 4. Fellow one met at church in tight garment (6) BODICE : BOD(informal term for a “fellow”/person) + I(Roman numeral for “one”) … Read more >>

Hectence has given us a lot of bra-stretching this morning.       An interesting Quiptic, probably on the hardish side (at least from the parsing point of view), and a pangram to … Read more >>

Thanks to Carpathian for an enjoyable Quiptic as ever: not always easy, but always fair. Some of the definitions took a bit of thought, but that’s part of the fun; everything makes sense … Read more >>

A sound and entertaining Quiptic from Matilda this morning, with a good variety of subject matter for our delectation and delight. As always, if there is something that I haven’t explained properly or … Read more >>

Thank you to Pasquale. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 7. Put out of action on account of dreadfully bad lies (7) DISABLE : Anagram of(dreadfully) BAD LIES. 8. Wasted time and … Read more >>

Anto divides his time these days (or the editor does it for him) between the Quiptic and the daily Grauniad cryptic. This was a fine example of the former, with some pleasing anagrams … Read more >>

An enjoyable solve from Pan this morning: mostly “easy when you know how”. As always, Pan provides concise clues with some lovely surfaces: my favourite was 1d. There are lots of common crossword … Read more >>

The usual sound and pleasing Quiptic from Hectence this morning, but with a rather unusual feature.       Which is that there are no full anagrams in the puzzle. Some beginners (and … Read more >>

Thanks to Beale for this enjoyable Quiptic. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Put one’s foot down when presented with energy charge (8) STAMPEDE : STAMPED(put one’s foot down heavily, on … Read more >>

A thoughtfully compiled Quiptic from Matilda, which I’d be happy to recommend to those who are new to this kind of torture. Friendly grid, no obscurities, clear cluing. Happy days.       … Read more >>

Anto provides a slightly tricky Quiptic today. There are a couple of loose definitions, and some references that may be unfamiliar to non-Brits – I’ve tried to cover these in the notes. I’m … Read more >>

A carefully constructed Quiptic from Carpathian this morning, which I think will provide an entertaining challenge for newer solvers. A fine example of the art of a setter losing gracefully.       … Read more >>

Thanks to Hectence for a nicely tuned Quiptic. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Very fine biscuit with no excess fat (5-4) WAFER-THIN : WAFER(a thin crispy biscuit) + THIN(with no … Read more >>