Basilisk provide's this morning's entertainment
Enigmatic Variations No.1530 – Bare Necessities by Check
“In 24 clues an extra word must be removed before solving; in clue order, the central letters of these words spell out a creative duo and a cryptically abridged introduction to one of their works. Solvers must reveal the BARE NECESSITIES by deleting the contents of some cells in the final grid to form a thematic shape. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Financial Times 17,041 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 12, 2022
Independent 11,058 / Methuselah
Methuselah is occupying the mid-week slot this time. I think that this is my first attempt at blogging a crossword by this setter. I actually found this to be quite a tricky puzzle, … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,050 by GOZO
A themed puzzle today, and one I found difficult. There is one clue I still can’t explain, any help is appreciated. Thank you Gozo.
Guardian Cryptic 28,712 by Paul
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28712.
Inquisitor 1742: Standardisation by Kruger
The complicated rubric read: The grid should be considered to consist of three zones, each containing the same number of cells but with shapes and locations to be deduced. Thirteen answers are too … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,049 by MUDD
A swift and steady solve for me this morning.
Guardian 28,711 / Brummie
It’s Brummie setting today’s challenge, so is there a theme today? You never know what to expect with him. I thought at first that 10ac and 4dn might be leading us somewhere but … Read more >>
Independent 11057 / Hypnos
Hypnos provides the Tuesday challenge this week Tuesday is usually theme day in the Independent, so it is no surprise to find a very topical theme today. The theme is … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,596 Plain
Another set of interesting and obscure words to figure out and look up. Thank you Azed.
Guardian Cryptic 28,710 by Vulcan
A very fun start to the week – I really liked 27ac, and other favourites were 14ac, 4dn, 7dn, 11dn, and 20dn. Thanks to Vulcan for the puzzle.
Guardian Quiptic 1,166/Carpathian
Always a pleasure when I click open the Quiptic and see that Carpathian is the setter. Another delightful and accessible puzzle for beginners from her this morning. There are two little points of … Read more >>
Financial Times 17,048 by MOO
Moo delivers a spot on Monday puzzle. Plenty to like but some favourites include 1a, 5a, 9a and 18a. Many thanks to Moo.
Independent 11,056/Gila
Super puzzle from Gila this morning, demonstrating again what a strong bunch of setters this paper has to call on. What struck me here was the quality of the surface readings: pretty much … Read more >>