Independent on Sunday 1,589/Silvanus
A pleasing puzzle in the usual IoS style, where I was troubled only by one or two remote synonyms. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition … Read more >>
Everyman 3,851
The Observer crossword from Aug 2, 2020. A typical well-written and enjoyable Everyman crossword to accompany my Sunday brunch. I did have to check a few things, especially in the right-hand side of … Read more >>
Azed No. 2,512 Plain – Competition Puzzle
Another helping of interesting words and carefully constructed clues. Thank you Azed. I will be away on a short cycling tour over the weekend. If you have any corrections/questions then leave a comment … Read more >>
Independent 10,553 by Phi
We now have Phi-day on a Saturday. All very confusing this week but as we also blogged the Hob yesterday we realised that something different was happening this week. We spotted PHILIP in … Read more >>
Guardian 28,201 / Brendan
It’s lovely to get a chance to write a post about a Brendan crossword – he’s one of my favourite setters, and he only appears about once a month in the Guardian. This … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1445: Evolution by Vismut
An interesting preamble. Nine entries to thematically treat and 9 clues also. The treatments lead to a description of what has been done and an occupation. This should allow a person to be … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,549 by WANDERER
An excellent challenge from WANDERER today! Thanks to setter for an enjoyable solve. FF: 10 DD: 9 ACROSS 1, 6 HITTING THE ROOF Too thin? Fighter flips, becoming very angry (7,3,4) [TOO THIN … Read more >>
Independent 10,552 by Hob
When Hob popped up on a Phiday, we thought there must be something special happening today…. As we worked through the grid, we noticed the nina in the left and right borders, and, … Read more >>
Guardian 28,206 – Paul
A typical Paul puzzle that was not easy but gave up its secrets at a satisfying rate, with a couple of bits of schoolboy humour in the mix. As usual Paul is hosting … Read more >>
Independent 10,551 / Serpent
A challenging and unusual puzzle awaited us this Thursday morning, set by Serpent. I think that I have managed to solve the puzzle correctly, although I found teasing out the wordplay in this … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28205 Nutmeg
Thanks to Nutmeg for an enjoyable puzzle; some nice wordplay indicators. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 8. Leading lady’s retreat just after party goes west (8) BALMORAL : MORAL(just/proper) placed after(after) … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,548 by NEO
Neo steps up to the plate this morning. When I saw 1 across, my heart sank as I can’t find a way to justify LIB = freedom. (see Hovis’s comment at 1, although … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,538 by Julius
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of July 25, 2020 There is no special reason I am aware of for a special puzzle this weekend but, thanks to Julius, we have one. Here … Read more >>
Guardian 28,204 / Shed
For some reason the scheduled blogger has been unable to turn up today so here is an analysis of the clues. Please excuse any typos but cataract removal has made viewing my monitor … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,547 by JULIUS
Another fun challenge. Thank you Julius. Lots of financial stuff in here. Ironically I never liked money, despite having worked in banks and financial institutions for years. ACROSS 1 RISK FREE Busy ferries … Read more >>