There are two errors in the first sentence of this EV’s preamble. There are dots rather than commas separating some of the numbers giving word lengths for the quotation, which is described as “running clockwise IN THE MOST of the perimeter”. I appreciate that these are small mistakes (and not the setter’s fault), but they irk me.
Guardian Prize Puzzle 25,820 by Shed
I found this a bit lacklustre. There was nothing actually wrong with any of the clues but overall the puzzle seemed to lack a little sparkle. Normally I find puzzles from … Read more >>
Guardian 25,825 – Puck
Some tricky stuff here from Puck – I took a while to get going on this, and even when a lucky guess gave me the crucial 26,16 there was still some work to … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,193 by Sleuth
Clever stuff Across 9 SCROUNGER sponge SC scilicet – namely [l]OUNGER couch minus L left 10 UNTIL before UNLIT dark L and T swapped 11 AMIABLE friendly AM assembly member … Read more >>
Independent 8171 / Phi
It’s Friday, so it’s Phi with one of those grids that makes you look closely at the result. Earlier this year – around 7th February – the 200th anniversary of … Read more >>
Independent 8170/Scorpion
A very good crossword from Scorpion today, full of excellent clues, and hardly anything to quibble about. It also has a theme of which I approve — it is possible to solve the crossword … Read more >>
Financial Times no.14,192 by Orense
My brain has already gone on its Christmas holidays. This, coupled with a handful of tricky words, made this enjoyable offering from Orense a tougher-than-expected solve – but there was a reward waiting … Read more >>
Guardian 25,824 – Chifonie
Very straightforward for a Thursday, without much misdirection in the definitions. Across 1 ON TIME =”punctual” ONE=”Somebody” around TIM=”boy” 4 PEA GREEN =”colour” PEN=”Writer” around AGREE=”match” 9 ON EDGE =”Nervous” ON=”working” + EDGE=”creep” … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,191 by Loroso
This is a really cracking themed puzzle and a good challenge, thouroughly recommended. If you have not had a go at this already you can get the PDF here. All the across clues are … Read more >>
Independent 8169 / Dac
A very pleasing puzzle from Dac. There was much to enjoy. We thought that the surface reading of many of the clues was excellent – 12 ac, 14ac and 24ac for example. 19d … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic N° 25,823 by Arachne
Given the ingenuity of the constructions, I think a lot of work must have gone into this puzzle. Thank you, Arachne.
Financial Times 14,183 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Dec 10 For some reason one day earlier than usual, I am happy to present another Dante blog. Mostly common ground, but as always one clue that made my brain cells … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,182 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 8, 2012 I became very stuck in the lower-right quadrant of this puzzle and had to turn to some crossword buddies for help. I had … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1259: Clashes by Xanthippe
Preamble: In nine cells (adjacent or diagonally adjacent), letters clash. These clashes must be resolved appropriately so that all entries are real words. The resolved clashes, starting in the top row, define 37 … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,190 by Neo
Neo is new to me. I am standing in for scchua who is away at the moment, so it is nice to get some new setters to blog. Very enjoyable and mostly steady … Read more >>