Now we are Eight. Nice to see the editor for a change and a generally easyish puzzle to brighten an otherwise drab, damp and generally grotty day here in Suffolk.
Beelzebub 1,286
I’m having to finish this one off as I’m blogging. I think that’s more to do with struggling to find the time during the week rather than struggling with the puzzle, as everything … Read more >>
AZED 2,212
This week’s plain puzzle contained several clues that would not be out of place in a daily cryptic.
Everyman 3551/26 October
A lot of clever anagrams in this one, and the typically good surfaces that we expect from Everyman. One or two tricky ones, though, where I for one needed some crossing letters before … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 136 by Puck
For Genius 136, Puck tells us that “Eight solutions include one or more thematic elements that are absent from their clues. Before submitting your completed entry you must make a single numerical adjustment in … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,288 by Raich
A straightforward and enjoyable puzzle from Raich.
Fifteensquared is now Twocubed
Eight years ago today the first blog was published on Fifteensquared by the site’s founder neildubya (it was for a Janus puzzle in the Guardian which had appeared two days earlier). Since then we have … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 26,400 by Picaroon
A themed puzzle with some very nice surfaces this week.
Independent 8746 (Sat 25th Oct 2014) Jambazi
If there’s one thing that is notable about a Jambazi puzzle, it is that every clue surface reading makes sense, but not necessarily one that helps solve the clue much… … which is why … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1144: Qualification by Nutmeg
As Brad Pitt once said: ‘The first rule of Fight Club is that you do NOT talk about Fight Club.’ Well, to paraphrase…’the first rule of EV Club is that you DO read, re-read … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,767 by MUDD
First up, a big “Thank you!” to Gaufrid, for covering for me these past few weeks when I was away on vacation.
Mudd’s puzzle today was a pleasant solve, themed around Scotland. The reason I suspect is Halloween (31st October) got its name from the Scottish song, “All Hallows’ Eve”, sometime around 1745.
Independent 8,751 / Morph
I was rather surprised to see that Morph was occupying the Friday spot this week. I suppose that I should immediately have asked myself if there was something about this puzzle, appearing on … Read more >>
Guardian 26,405 by Boatman
An enjoyable, fairly straightforward solve with a nice theme (with little extra parallels across some of the thematic clues, e.g. 10ac/20ac, 2dn/16dn and 13dn/27 dn.) Favourites were 13ac and 19d.
Financial Times no.14,766 by Artexlen
Artexlen always seems to give me trouble, and this morning’s puzzle – in the nicest possible way – was no exception.
Independent 8750 / Donk
Donk’s puzzle are always a challenge and frequently attract praise from solvers There is clearly flair in the cluing of today’s puzzle with a significant need for lateral thinking [e.g. 1 … Read more >>