Cyclops’ cryptic spray gun has some less-than-regular targets this fortnight…as well as some classic clueing smuttery…
Independent on Sunday 1,650 by Nitsy
The puzzle is available here. Hello everyone. This felt quite tricky at first, but after a not very fruitful first read through I warmed up and tuned in to finish in a … Read more >>
Azed 2573
As I was writing up this blog, it struck me that most of the parsing of the clues is very straightforward: I think more so than usual. Of course there’s the usual helping … Read more >>
Everyman 3,912
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3912.
Independent 10,918 by Monk (Saturday Puzzle 9 October 2021)
Any hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobes should look away now…Monk presents a puzzle with no fewer than six 15-letter entries…
Guardian Saturday puzzle 28,566 /Brummie
I know I’m not the only one of those whose heart sinks somewhat at the sight of ‘Special Instructions’ – and, understandably, I think, it sinks even further when I’m blogging – but … Read more >>
Independent 10,917 by Phi
Our regular Phiday challenge.
Guardian Cryptic 28571 Paul
Thank you to Paul. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Frame in competition — lose it (5,2) CRACK UP : RACK(a frame for holding or storing things, eg. your spice jars) … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,911 by GOLIATH
An excellent challenge from GOLIATH this Friday.
Independent 10,916 by Bluth
More inventive clueing from Bluth today.
Financial Times 16,910 by NEO
Neo's todays FT compiler.
Guardian Cryptic 28,570 by Brendan
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28570.
Enigmatic Variations No.1506 – Potato Scraps by The Ace of Hearts
“One letter must be removed from each clue before solving; in clue order, these letters spell out four headwords/subheads (2 x two words, 2 x one word) in Chambers which have similar meanings. A trickster (six letters, to be highlighted) has implemented the definition of one of these words (which might be cryptically described as POTATO SCRAPS) on the completed grid; solvers must restore the grid to its original state by changing four letters in one entry. All entries in the original and final grid are real words; Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended. ”
Financial Times 16,900 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of September 25, 2021
Independent 10,915 / Tees
Tees has supplied this week’s mid-week puzzle. I found this one to be towards the harder end of the Tees spectrum. Although I slotted quite a few solutions in fairly quickly, I had … Read more >>