Armonie kicks off the week…
Independent 10,249/Tees
Another entertaining and engaging puzzle from Tees to start the Indy week. You always learn stuff from him. The setter has been rummaging in his ‘unusual words’ drawer, and there were four new … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops/657) Immoral Minister
We are in very strange times being ruled by an unelected buffoon, so the clue to 20/6 will pin this puzzle to a very narrow time window, hopefully. Solving went steadily with about … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,538 by Hypnos
The puzzle can be found here. Hello again! Once every 20 weeks, My Saturday and Sunday Indy blogs fall on the same weekend. 20 weeks ago we had a Hypnos IoS puzzle … Read more >>
Everyman 3,800
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3800.
AZED 2,461
Another fascinating tour though Chambers by our expert guide. Thank you Azed.
Independent 10,248 by Wire
The puzzle can be found here. Hello, fellow solvers, and happy weekend. Thanks to Wire for a very enjoyable puzzle, in which my favourite clue is probably that for CUTIE-PIE. I also … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,896 / Paul
After an unusual three-week absence in the Prize slot, Paul pops up this week, which means that, for now, at least, he’s back to coinciding with my monthly blog. I really enjoyed this … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1394 – Coup de Grace by Gaston
“The unclued entries have been practising for the COUP DE GRACE by removing a thematic group of consecutive letters from eight normally clued entries, always leaving shorter, real words to be entered in the grid. In all other clues, wordplay indicates the answer with an extra letter; in clue order these letters reveal the theme. Solvers should administer the COUP DE GRACE themselves by blacking out two symmetrical groups of six.”
Financial Times 16,247 by GOLIATH
A good, fun crossword from a setter not usually seen on Fridays. Thanks Goliath, for a challenge replete with witty cluing and unusual surfaces.
Independent 10,247 by Phi
Phi is back to his usual day, but for how long? Were his recent perambulations the sign of something regular? Perhaps Friday, being a random day, is just one of the days he visits.
Anyway, this was what you expect from Phi: things don’t work out instantly (apart from one or two, like 5dn or 8dn) but you know that in due course all will become clear. I found this to be easier than is usual for Phi, but none the worse for that.
Definitions in maroon, underlined. Anagram indicators in italics.
Guardian Cryptic 27,901 by Arachne
As always, a pleasure to see Arachne. The special instructions “To mark a 200th anniversary: ’28, 26 down 9 17 15…” describe the theme…
Independent 10,246 by Alchemi
It’s a while since we’ve had the pleasure of blogging an Alchemi puzzle, so we really looked forward to this one.
Financial Times 16,246 by NEO
Neo steps up to the plate for todays FT puzzle.
Guardian 27,900 – Paul
Good fun as always from Paul, with a puzzle that revealed its secrets at a satisfyingly steady rate, with just one dubious definition. Thanks to Paul Across … Read more >>