Thanks to Brummie for the puzzle – my favourites were 21ac, 2dn, 12dn, 14dn, and 20dn.
Guardian Quiptic 1,256/Chandler
A pleasing and tractable Quiptic from Chandler. This might have been a ‘first puzzle I solved unaided’ experience for someone, somewhere this morning. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as … Read more >>
Independent 11,596/Angel
A puzzle from an infrequent setter for the Indy, which I enjoyed solving and blogging. Her (at least I think it’s her) previous offerings have included themes, but I couldn’t see one here. … Read more >>
Financial Times Sunday No.24 – World by Peto
Another dose of geographically themed cryptic fun. Available on the FT website to download and print or solve online, or via the smartphone app.
Azed No. 2,685 Plain- Competition Puzzle
I was relieved that this was just a ‘plain’ Azed crossword, because his specials often take ages. In the event it was one of his easier ones I thought. All made sense and I felt as if everything was parsed OK. You may have different opinions. It seemed there were quite a lot of anagrams: I counted ten clues in which there were whole or part anagrams. Some of the definitions are a bit dense, but will be there in Chambers.
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Anagram indicators shown like (this)* or *(this).
Everyman 4,024
As always seems to be the case this is well-constructed and there are no criticisms really. The usual things are there — the first letters clue, the rhyming pair, the self-reference. My moan at 6dn about the fact that it’s a CD is a voice crying in the wilderness: lots of people, including some good setters, like them.
Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (anagram, homophone, juxtaposition, hidden, etc) in italics. Anagram indicators shown like *(this) or (this)*, link-words in green.
Independent on Sunday 1,763 by Lark
Sunday and we’re up with the Lark
Independent 11,595 by Dutch
The puzzle is available here.
Financial Times 17,590 by Leonidas
Puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 2, 2023
Guardian Saturday Prize Crossword 29,243 by Paul (2 December 2023)
Paul is up to his usual playful tricks in this Prize puzzle…with a familiar preponderance of 2- and 3-word linked entries, hyphenations and amusing surface reads.
Private Eye (Cyclops / 767) Overhasty Egomaniac
The overhasty egomaniac has been giving evidence at the Covid Inquiry this week. Amazing how he had a phone it was impossible to retrieve old messages from. But I’ll say not more about … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 29,248 by Paul
Thanks Paul for today’s puzzle…
Independent 11594 / Phi
We have a normal Friday with an Independent puzzle set by Phi. The entries look like a set of words with no common connection, so I’ll suggest there is no … Read more >>
FINANCIAL TIMES 17595 by MUDD
A good workout from MUDD
Boatman – The Second 50
Boatman – The Second 50 I’ve just published my second collection of 50 puzzles from the Guardian – in fact, it’s 55 puzzles, as the book includes five bonus crosswords previously only available … Read more >>