Moley returns to the Quiptic slot with a puzzle offering plenty of encouragement to beginning solvers, while not presenting too many difficulties for those looking for a quick cryptic fix. A puzzle perfectly pitched, in other words, for a Quiptic, and a nicely gentle start to the cryptic week.
Independent 8,896 by Bucko
Bucko’s third outing in the Indy and first time for my shift.
Beelzebub 1,310
Perhaps it was just circumstances, but I found this to be a very challenging puzzle. Of course, that isn’t a complaint, it just means you lot have had to wait a bit longer … Read more >>
AZED 2,236
A straightforward plain puzzle this week, but with one unusual feature.
Independent 1,312 by Hypnos
Super puzzle. Hypnos manages to produce a straightforward puzzle (which seems to be the remit for the Sunday slot) that is also interesting and fun to solve all the way through. Thanks Hypnos.
Everyman 3575/12 April
Everyman was my route into solving cryptics, so I always get pleasure from blogging his puzzles in an attempt to help new and improving solvers. I think I have pinned everything down here, … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 26,543 by Paul
A very straightforward prize puzzle from Paul this week, with two mini-themes.
Independent Crossword 8889 by Morph (11-04-2015)
Well exactly 50 years after I exitted the womb I have a little tussle with Morph to deal with. Hopefully a little easier than struggling into this world! A trio of new words … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1168: Call Sign by Shark
In CALL SIGN, Shark offers up: a ‘non-standard’, rectangular grid – 10 x 14; seven unclued entries, all of a kind; no misprints/corrections, just four significant extra words in clues; and finally, some colouring in … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,907 by MUDD
Traveling on work and a full day meant I got to this Mudd challenge a lot later than I would have liked to – so apologies for the late post. I found this to be a tough challenge to begin with but gradually picked up steam along the way. Outclassed on a few clues that required googling to confirm or supplement the parsings. Some deviousness exhibited by Mudd – enough to leave me seeking a helping hand on the deconstruction for a couple as well.
Guardian 26,548 / Qaos
I had decided to have a go at doing my own blog today [renewed thanks to Gaufrid for last week] – broken wrist notwithstanding [it was with falling over, actually 😉 ] knowing … Read more >>
Independent 8,894 / Phi
Independent 8,894 / Phi Phi’s latest offering awaited solvers this Friday morning, as one might have expected. I thought that this was a medium difficulty Phi puzzle, far from a walk in the … Read more >>
Independent 8893 / Nestor
Nestor is an irregular contributor to the Independent weekday series. He is more often seen at weekends. This was a puzzle I returned to a few times before I cracked … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,906 by SLEUTH
An enjoyable crossword, so first, thanks to Sleuth. We had almost finished doing the blog when there was a power cut and we feared we’d have to re-enter the lot. We should have known better. Our thanks to PeeDee for yet another great feature of the utility.
Guardian 26,547 by Paul
Enjoyed this, getting stuck several times after a quick start. Particularly liked 21ac, 25ac, and 8dn. Thanks, Paul.