It’s Phiday again.
Guardian 29,313 – Vlad
A tough challenge, as we expect from this setter, with some tricky parsing to work out. All fair, though, and satisfying to finish. Thanks to Vlad. Across 9 SEX WORKER IT professional? … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 29312 Paul
Thank you to Paul. Definitions are underlined in the clues. (Excuse me for the lateness of the blog.) Across 1. Stop key piercing skin (7) RESCIND : ESC(… for “escape”, a key on … Read more >>
Independent 11,659 by Filbert
The more we solve puzzles by Filbert, the more we appreciate his style. There were some lovely surfaces today and a few smiley moments.
Financial Times 17,662 FALCON
Today's setter is Falcon.
Independent 11,658 / Eccles
Eccles is in the Wednesday slot this week, where we are accustomed to seeing him. I found this to be a highly enjoyable medium-difficulty puzzle, with fair, crisp wordplay throughout. Eccles did have … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,661 by MONK
Always a great pleasure to see Monk on a Wednesday.
Guardian Cryptic 29,311 by Pasquale
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29311.
Inquisitor 1842: Sausage Competition by eXternal
Blimey. Answers (all length 8) are entered around the appropriate numbered square, clockwise or anticlockwise, beginning anywhere. Each clue contains an extra word to be removed before solving; choosing either the first or … Read more >>
Guardian 29,310 / Brendan
It’s always a treat to see Brendan’s name and here he is on top form (again) with one of his intricately interwoven themed puzzles. With Brendan’s brilliant apostrophe-themed puzzle from last month still … Read more >>
Independent 11657 / Hippogryph
Hippogryph challenges us today There are a few references in the clues and in the grid to the sitcom ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE [27 across /23 down /4 down] … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,660 by AARDVARK
I am four days in to a lingering cold, so unfortunately, I found today’s Aardvark a bit of a slog.
Financial Times 17,659 by ARTEXLEN
ARTEXLEN kicks off the week…
Independent 11,656 by Gila
I mostly enjoyed this and there were some great surfaces.
Guardian Quiptic 1,265/Pasquale
All the right notes, all in the right order, simple time signature, no accidentals, and marked throughout as semplicemente. If it were a musical score, that’s how I would describe it; but it’s … Read more >>