An interesting mixture of easy and difficult clues for this week’s prize puzzle.
Guardian 27,985 / Enigmatist
It’s a couple of years since I blogged an Enigmatist puzzle – always a challenge but I think his puzzles have become [even] more difficult recently [and I know I’m not the only … Read more >>
Independent 10,331 / Phi
Our Friday regular compiler Phi has brought this week’s string of mid-week puzzles to an end once again. I found this to be a puzzle of medium difficulty on the Indy scale. I … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,331 by WANDERER
A delightful challenge from WANDERER this Friday, which I felt was on the easier side of his offerings. Thanks WANDERER.
Guardian Cryptic 27,984 by Nutmeg
A slow solve and tricky to parse – I really liked some of the misdirection in the surfaces. Favourites were 12ac, 14ac, 17ac, 30ac, and 27ac. Thanks to Nutmeg
Independent 10330 / Serpent
Serpent challenges us today It’s an odd looking grid with nineteen across clues and sixteen down which usually implies there is something going on in terms of a theme or … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,330 by ALBERICH
A typically high-quality puzzle from Alberich. I really enjoyed this solve as there was a bit of everything in here. Alberich is a very clever, but very fair setter, who uses a range … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,320 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 9, 2019
Financial Times 16,329 by GAFF
A tough puzzle from Gaff, but one I enjoyed grappling with. Thank you Gaff. T in the clues stands in for tree. ACROSS 1 JOY ADAMSON Lion tamer was happiness to a T … Read more >>
Independent 10,329 by Wire
So far as I can see this is the first time that I’ve blogged a Wire, who has often appeared on Saturdays, which I don’t do. But it was a pleasant experience: some … Read more >>
Guardian 27,983 – Imogen
Quite a tricky one from Imogen today, with a few words that may be unfamiliar to some, but also some easier clues to get things started. Thanks to Imogen. … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1620: The Last Resort by Ifor
I fully expected something on the “Fall of the Berlin Wall” today, given that the puzzle was published on the 30th anniversary. Preamble: Every down clue contains a consecutive pair of letters … Read more >>
Independent 10,328 by Crosophile
It’s Joyce this week – solving and blogging the puzzle on her own while Bert is trekking in Nepal. It’s been a very strange experience as we always solve and blog puzzles together. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,982 by Pasquale
HAY, what do I know? The commenters on the Guardian website seemed to like this puzzle, but I found it a bit of a slog. Perhaps it was too early in the morning … Read more >>
Financial Times 16328 Falcon
Thanks Falcon for an enjoyable puzzle. Definitions are underlined in the clues. It’s another pangram. Across 1 Pack case for accordion (7-3) SQUEEZE BOX : PACK(to cram/squeeze into) + BOX(a case for items … Read more >>