The Observer crossword from Oct 27, 2019
Another Everyman crossword that will please some and, in places, annoy others.
Independent on Sunday 1,549/Skinny
I blogged Skinny’s debut puzzle in the Indy in July and commented there that I hoped we’d bump into each other again. My wish has been granted, and I enjoyed solving and blogging … Read more >>
AZED 2,472 by Azed
A plain Azed that I solved at a steady pace. I was able to complete all bar the SE corner without resorting to Chambers, so this must have been a fairly straightforward offering. … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 196 by Qaos
Unless I have missed something devious, this month’s Genius from Qaos seemed relatively gentle… The preamble states that: “Half the solutions must have a letter removed before entry in the grid (only valid … Read more >>
Independent 10,314 by Klingsor
Another well crafted puzzle from Klingsor for the weekend.
Enigmatic Variations 1405 Association by Piccadilly
Autumn and an association to find – 11 unclued entries which need to associated with a word from a normal clue. The other clues have an extra letter in the wordplay – across … Read more >>
Guardian 27,962 / Paul
We really struggled with this one, perhaps because of a combination of some tough clues, obscure answers, and the grid being low on checked letters. Good puzzle (thank-you Paul!) with some wonderful surface … Read more >>
Guardian 27,967 – Brendan
I was confidently expecting today’s setter to be Paul, but it was certainly no disappointment to see Brendan instead (not that I have anything against Paul). We have a theme, of course, pointed … Read more >>
Independent 10,313 by Phi
It’s Phi-day again. For once, we tumbled to the theme, but not until we had completed the puzzle and looked long and hard at the solutions. We found this to … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,313 by WANDERER
A fine puzzle from WANDERER who deserves much applause for both the puzzle itself, as well as the completion of a milestone I think.
Independent 10,312 / Tyrus
Tyrus has certainly put me through my paces this Thursday morning. And he has most definitely had the last laugh. I have completed the grid – correctly, I hope – but I still … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27966 Tramp
Thanks to Tramp for an enjoyable crossword with nice clue surfaces. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 9 Still one is drunk by bar (9) NOISELESS : Anagram of(… drunk) ONE IS … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,312 by CHALMIE
A fun puzzle from Chalmie. Once I worked out that the setter had put two-word phrases across the grid, this became a bit easier to solve, but the top right corner eluded me … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,302 by Alberich
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 19, 2019
Financial Times 16,311 by GOZO
A themed puzzle as usual with one answer I cannot get. Any help appreciated. Thank you Gozo. Unless you are a specialist in period instruments you will be needing a dictionary for this … Read more >>