Guardian 28,233 / Nutmeg
A typically elegant and witty puzzle from Nutmeg today. Many thanks to her for the fun. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 First chapter on one subject (5) TOPIC TOP (first) … Read more >>
Independent 10579 / Kairos
Kairos is a setter that I don’t think I have blogged before Kairos seems to favour ‘double definition’ clues. I counted five of these in this puzzle. The wordplay constructions … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 1,086/Matilda
As always, I enjoyed solving and blogging this offering from Matilda. One or two devices that newer solvers might have been unfamiliar with, but learning new stuff is part of the enjoyment, no? … Read more >>
Independent 10,578 by Harold
A challenging puzzle from newish compiler Harold. This wasn't entirely my cup of tea with quite a lot of slightly dodgy CDs and DDs but there were some interesting clues that required quite … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,575 by ZAMORCA
Very enjoyable pangram from Zamorca. I found this morning’s puzzle thoroughly enjoyable – not overly challenging, but kept me on my toes throughout. Very neat and clear clues with some excellent surfaces. First … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,232 by Vulcan
A little tricky for a Monday, and good fun – my favourites were 11ac, 24ac, 5dn, 20dn, and 21dn. Thanks to Vulcan for the puzzle. ACROSS 1 MEAN BUSINESS Perform decisively in shabby … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops / 684) Global Guidance
Another diverting solve from our one-eyed friend. Solving proceeded in a stuttering manner with about half done at the end of the first pass with solutions entered all over the grid so the … Read more >>
Everyman 3,855
The Observer crossword from 30 Aug, 2020. Perhaps it is just me but I found this puzzle a bit harder than usual. The construction of some clues (like 11ac and 24ac) may be … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,593/Tees
Another Tees ‘n’ Pierre show for your Sunday delectation and delight (well, the Tees bit, anyway …) Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 206 — Qaos
The instruction “the wordplay in each clue leads to a solution where two letters require an elementary substitution before entry in the grid” may have been intended as cryptic , but I guessed … Read more >>
Azed 2516
A plain puzzle from Azed this week The grid contains the usual collection of less common words clued very precisely. I liked the linked clues at 29 and 31 down … Read more >>
Independent 10,577 by Tyrus
The puzzle can be found here. Hello everybody, and happy weekend. When I see that Tyrus is the setter, I know we are in for a real challenge, so I was pleased … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 28,225 by Maskarade
Maskarade’s traditional Bank Holiday weekend giant puzzle – but one of the less complicated versions. The preamble says: The wordplay of 29 clues lack a theme word to reach the required solution. These … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,573 by NEO
A mostly straightforward challenge from NEO today, a quick solve thwarted only by a couple of uncommon words. Thanks NEO. FF: 7 DD: 6 ACROSS 1 FINISHING SCHOOL Eating up some fish, females … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,230 by Shed
A very enjoyable puzzle today – my favourites were 11ac, 17ac, 26ac, 21dn, and 22dn. Lots of thanks to Shed ACROSS 8 ZUCCHINI South African (half-cut) visits Sark etc, receiving cheers (also half-cut) … Read more >>