I thought this had more that its fair share of clues on the harder end of the spectrum. Dare I say I understand all definitions and wordplay (yes, I know, I’m begging to be corrected).
Independent 9,021 by Anax (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 12/09/15)
It’s always a pleasure to draw an Anax on blogging day. This was actually a solve of two halves for me, the top half falling in steadily before I ground to a halt. … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations 1190 Legend by Shackleton
Misprints in the definitions of all clues – 5 clashes – 2 messages a square to find a rectangle to find – five images to determine then a sixth and its description – … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 26,675 / Crucible
A real sense of déjà vu – twice over, for me. Crucible gave us a similarly-themed puzzle this time last year – and I was lucky enough to blog that one, too. I don’t … Read more >>
Independent 9,026 by Phi
As usual Phi has given us a neat efficient crossword with some very nice clues. As I have said before, he is often a bit tricky to get started on and then when you look back afterwards it all seems so simple, as witness the large number of answers that have been parsed in just one term, and I don’t think that’s because I’m in a bit of a hurry to complete this since I have a message from Norton telling me that they must fix a threat which is high risk, and the whole thing may explode before the blog is completed.
Guardian 26,680 – Tramp
Well, that was fun! Another of Tramp’s puzzles where many of the clues are related to a theme, but almost no knowledge of the theme is needed to solve them. The theme of … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,039 by GAFF
A good fun Gaffle this Friday. Thanks to Gaff for yet another twisted challenge, albeit on the easier side relative to some of his earlier work that I have encountered. Quite a few subtraction anagrams in this one. Progress was slow and steady with the SW corner holding me up in the homestretch. Parsing for 15ac continues to elude me.
Guardian Cryptic 26679 Orlando
(Please click here for this same blog but with a picture quiz added. Please do NOT post hereinbelow any comment relating to the picture quiz. Thank you.) A tougher than average Cryptic I … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26679 with Picture Quiz
(Please post comments on ONLY the picture quiz hereinbelow. To post comments on the crossword puzzle, please click here.) A tougher than average Cryptic I reckon; 4 down is Prize-worthy, not to mention … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,038 by BRADMAN
Gentle but fun, with a couple of really neat clues. Thanks, Bradman
Independent 9025 / Nestor
Nestor takes over the Thursday spot this week. It was something of a relief, as it seemed rather less tricky than we have come to expect for a Thursday. We are out of … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,029 – Armonie
Monday Prize Crossword / Sep 7, 2015
Armonie’s crosswords mostly appear on a Tuesday but this puzzle made once more clear why many solvers think he is the ideal week-opener.
Easy, concise and accessible, generally smooth surfaces and surely no trickery.
Financial Times 15,028 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of September 5, 2015
Financial Times 15,037 by LOROSO
Super puzzle. Thanks Loroso.
Independent 9,024 / Dac
Today offers me my once-monthly opportunity to blog a Dac puzzle on a Wednesday. And I don’t suppose that I’ll say anything today that I haven’t said many times before: we have before … Read more >>