Guardian Cryptic 28,320 by Paul
A difficult solve after a quick start, with several answers entered without fully parsing until writing the blog. Favourites were 8ac, 21ac, 4dn, 5dn, and 17dn. Many thanks to Paul …there is an … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,662 / Redshank
For some reason the scheduled blogger hasn’t been able to be with us today so here is an analysis of the clues. Across 1 Polo perhaps, and where it’s played (8,4) SWIMMING POOL … Read more >>
Guardian 28,319 – Philistine
I enjoyed this, despite there being two clues I can’t parse, one that I think is faulty, and another that seems unfair. No doubt I will soon be enlightened on the first two, … Read more >>
Independent 10665 / Phi
A puzzle from Phi on a Thursday is unusual. Either another setter has a special reason for getting the Friday slot or Phi has something going on today. The grid … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1464: Brilliant by Chalicea
Hello everyone. It’s hard to believe that I’ve been an EV blogger now for two years, after I rashly answered Gaufrid’s call for a volunteer having previously tackled only one EV (managing the … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,652 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 5, 2020 Another elegant puzzle for us muddlarks. My first-in was 4ac (CHESTNUT) and I completed each quadrant in turn working counter-clockwise and progressing smoothly … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,661 by MONK
Oh dear, I can’t finish this, how embarrassing. Thanks Monk! Any help gratefully received. ACROSS 7 ERIC Perhaps Clapton’s earpiece regularly dropped (4) every other letter (regularly dropped) of EaRpIeCe 8 UNFORESEEN Sudden … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,318 by Puck
Set aside some time for today's puzzle! This was Puck at his mischievous best. Lots of general knowledge, difficult words, unusual wordplay… but a very satisying solve in the end. I think the … Read more >>
Independent 10,664 by Tees
Tees’s crosswords were once full of cultural references and one needed a rather good general knowledge to cope. But in this, everything was quite gentle and by my standards I raced through it. … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1676: Hands Across the Sea by Ifor
Ifor – can usually be relied upon for many fine clues, often with few redundant words in them. I’m looking forward to it. Preamble: Clues to one entry in each odd-numbered row … Read more >>
Financial Times 16660 Falcon
Thank you to Falcon. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Colour scheme in side corridor (5) DECOR : Hidden in(in) “side corridor“. 4. Material needed by friend, organ cleaner (6,3) COTTON … Read more >>
Independent 10,663 by Crosophile
It’s been about a year since we last blogged a Crosophile, so we looked forward to this. We always like the challenge of identifying the theme on a Tuesday as well. This theme … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,317 by Tramp
THe puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/28317. That took a time to complete – there is nothing outlandish, but a whole lot of meaty clues that too me some work to elucidate, There … Read more >>
Comments
Due to a recent WordPress update, a WordPress comment plugin, which the site used to use, no longer works, so I have had to deactivate it. This means that you will now only … Read more >>
Missing Paragraph Spaces
Update: I have found the cause of the missing paragraph spaces in comments. The plugin that generated the WYSIWYG comment field is not compatible with the latest version of WordPress. I have therefore … Read more >>