Guardian 28,164 / Pasquale
Pasquale rounds off the weekday crosswords in characteristic style, with a meticulously clued puzzle, with one or two less familiar words or expressions for good measure. I did ‘know’ all the answers today … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,507 by CHALMIE
A pleasant challenge from CHALMIE today with the typical diligent cluing that can be expected of this setter. FF: 9 DD: 7 ACROSS 1 CICERO Arctic ice row engulfs former senator (6) hidden … Read more >>
Independent 10,510 by Phi
I’ve had dreadful software problems and am doing this in the very old-fashioned way. Sorry it’s so primitive. Phi has as usual produced a very nice straighforward but not entirely simple crossword. The … Read more >>
Independent 10,509 by Hob
We haven’t had the pleasure of blogging a Hob puzzle for over a year, so we really looked forward to this…. …..and we weren’t disappointed. We found the puzzle to be slightly … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,506 by NEO
Neo is up today in the FT. The top half of this slotted in easily enough, but there were a couple of entries in the bottom half that I struggled with. I took … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,163 by Brendan
A very enjoyable solve… …with many clues and surfaces revolving around 8,9,10ac MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST. Favourites were 11ac, 17ac, 4dn, 16dn, and 18dn. Not sure how to parse 7dn. Thanks to Brendan. ACROSS … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,496 by Mudd
Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 6, 2020 This strikes me as an especially good but rather atypical Mudd. Good especially for its two &Lits, 1ac (PRAISE) and 16dn (VINDALOO). Atypical … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,505 by MONK
Another fun puzzle, sorry the blog is late again! Thanks Monk. I can see SHANGHAI TWENTIES MONKS in the grid. Anyone know what that is about? ACROSS 9 TWO Following retirement, anything in … Read more >>
Independent 10,508 / Tees
Tees has provided our mid-week cruciverbal entertainment this week. I found this one quite challenging from the point of view of vocabulary, with the entries at 1A, 1D, 4 and 15 all being … Read more >>
Guardian 28,162 – Matilda
I think this is Matilda’s second appearance in the Cryptic slot, after a distinguished career as a Quiptic setter. I was the blogger of her first Cryptic, and remarked then that I found … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,504 by MOO
A fast solve but with some very pleasing and innovative surfaces. My first MOO, I think, and it’s been a pleasure. Thanks to her or him. ACROSS 1 SLAUGHTER Execute composition of Elgar … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1650: What…! by Nimrod
A Nimrod puzzle from our esteemed Editor, so not likely to be a pushover! The complicated rubric read: The final grid represents an early scene in a work of fiction involving three individuals, … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 28,161 by Brummie
A classic Brummie puzzle? Certainly, the theme was classic(al). At least eight of the answers were the names of symphonies, although technically I think the Alpine is a symphony in name only. I … Read more >>
Independent 10507 / Serpent
It’s a Tuesday so there is going to be some sort of theme. As it’s a Serpent puzzle it is likely to be a challenging solve as well. Serpent certainly … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,503 by ZAMORCA
I very much enjoyed this morning’s challenge from Zamorca. The right level of not-too-easy. Zamorca has put together some admirably witty clues. Some of my favourites include 5a (quiet diplomacy), 19a (celebrity status), … Read more >>