There’s only a short preamble this time. There are, we are told, ten answers which are to be modified. The remark about the lengths of grid entries implies that these may involve the addition or removal or letters. But the pressing question is, as always, which letters?
Financial Times 14,501 by FALCON
Really loved this grid by Falcon – had to make liberal use of Dr.Google for parsing some of the clues, especially those that related to UK-specific origins. Across 1 TINPOT Paltry cash prize … Read more >>
Independent 8482 / Phi
Phi continues to tease us on Fridays with fair clues that often put a smile on one’s face when the penny drops. A good mix of general knowledge was required … Read more >>
Guardian 26,136 by Orlando
Not as tricky as Orlando can be, but some lovely cluing – I particularly liked 24ac, 3dn, 16dn and 18dn. Across 1 Everyone in drag is fat (6) TALLOW =”fat”. ALL=”Everyone” in TOW=”drag” … Read more >>
Independent 8,481 by Anax
Another outstanding crossword from Anax — difficult of course and if I hadn’t been doing the blog and had been struggling on paper, without the kick start provided by the cheating buttons online, … Read more >>
Guardian 26,135 / Paul
A real crossword-puzzler’s crossword puzzle from Paul today… …celebrating the centenary of (probably) the first published puzzle. I found most of the clueing quite gentle by Paul’s standards, though entertaining as always, but … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,500 by Flimsy
Satisfying to knock off for the Christmas holidays with a nice round number – and a nice puzzle, too. Not a huge challenge but all very neat; some really lovely surfaces, too. Thank-you, … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,499 by Redshank
I found the south-east corner of this puzzle very tricky, it took me much longer than all the rest of the puzzle combined. Anyone else find this, or was it just me? There … Read more >>
Guardian 26,134 by Philistine
A week to Christmas, my first Philistine I believe. Some very terse cluing and some rather misleading to those used to Rufus’s style but not too difficult in hindsight. Hope to see some of you Saturday. … Read more >>
Independent 8480 / Dac
Another Wednesday, another Dac. Lovely surfaces, good clueing, what more can you say? Well, actually there is something! We’re not happy about 17d – there seems to be a misplaced apostrophe! Across 1 … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1311: Transfer Window by Kruger
Preamble: Mistakes made in the construction of the grid have resulted in some answers being too long for their allotted space and an equal number being too short. Fortunately, by transferring parts of … Read more >>
Independent 8,479 / Radian
Radian has served up one of his characteristic themed puzzles for this week’s Tuesday slot. I found this a medium-difficulty Radian crossword, with fairly accessible gateway clues, but with enough intricate cross references … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,498 / Jason
Yes, it’s me again. That’s two days in a row you’ve had to put up with me! During a first quick pass through the clues this puzzle seemed to be rather tricky, with … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic N° 26,133 by Tramp
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26133. At first glance, the puzzle seemed decidedly weird, with improbable names scattered through the clues.Eventually the penny dropped – they are all characters in Roald Dahl’s … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,490 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 7, 2013 I found this puzzle a bit difficult, especially the centre section. This particular grid, with each corner intersecting with only one letter each … Read more >>