The usual Everyman for me this week.
Azed 2,219
My apologies for the late appearance of this post. The scheduled blogger forgot that it was his turn and did not solve the puzzle (I’ll put it down to festive spirit!). Too many … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,295 by Poins
Blooming hard this week, I thought. It’s blogging day and despite a week’s labour, I’m staring at a grid that’s less than half full. That’s clearly not a criticism of the quality of … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1293
It has only been during the last month or so that I have been solving the Beelzebub and I must say that I have been enjoying them. This one was no exception. I … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 26,442 by Shed
A very enjoyable puzzle from Shed.
Independent Prize Crossword 8788 by Anax 13/12/14
“Are we blogging the Prize crossword this week?’ “Yes” “Who’s setting this week?” …….sound effect of pages being turned in the paper…… “Anax!” “OMG” Actually it turned out to be not quite as … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1151 – Contest by Kcit
Well, this is a strange-looking little thing! A 15 by 8 box, with numbered columns and lettered rows. And then there’s all sorts of other gubbins – jumbling and extra letters – with a little bit of highlighting for good measure.
OK. Deep breath, and let’s begin.
Guardian Cryptic 26447 Philistine
(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.) Definitely not a write-in, in fact, … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26447 with Picture Quiz
(Please post comments on ONLY the picture quiz hereinbelow. To post comments on the crossword puzzle, please click here.) Definitely not a write-in, in fact, one to warm up with for the Prize puzzle. … Read more >>
Independent 8793 / Phi
Phi has given us a fairly standard crossword today There is however a slight nod towards the season with entries including the words CHRISTMAS (3/8/20), SEASON (9 across), SWEET (17 … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,809 by WANDERER
A mindbender from WANDERER which turned out to be a complete delight at the end of it all. First pass resulted in barely 3-4 clues being solved and I was getting mentally ready for a long arduous affair.
Independent 8,792 by Crosophile
Initially I felt ill-disposed towards this, because of my obsession (some would call it a hang-up) with less than 50% checking, something that appears several times in the grid. But actually this is a perfectly pleasant crossword with some nice clues.
The inadequate (in my opinion) checking is sometimes excusable if there is a Nina and the setter is trying to get normal words into the grid. But in this case the Nina (which for once I’ve seen, although perhaps there is more) is fairly simple: look at the seven-letter words going diagonally from top to left, top to right, etc in the grid. They are all of a kind, and, further, the shape of the words surrounds something that may also be regarded as one of these.
Definitions underlined.
Financial Times no.14,808 by Mudd
Another not-too-troublesome FT puzzle, and, happily, another lesson in how to set an entry-level crossword without being boring.
Cyclops 536
After some confusion between cut-off dates published online and in the print version, the blog is scheduled to appear at midnight on Sunday as usual.
Guardian 26,446 by Paul
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26446.