Tough, but ultimately satisfying.
Guardian Quiptic 1039 Hectence
Thanks to Hectence for a puzzle befitting the Quiptic tag. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Difficult time after baby’s head is delivered (7) BROUGHT : [ROUGH(difficult/unpleasant, as in “I had … Read more >>
Independent 10,297 by Flitwick
Flitwick is a fairly recent addition to the Indy’s team of crossword setters. Pierre pointed out that he’d blogged all of Flitwick’s first three puzzles earlier this year, but I’m happy to break the pattern with this one.
Financial Times 16,297 by ZAMORCA
ZAMORCA kicks off the week…
Private Eye (Cyclops/661) Apeman Politics
This one took somewhat longer than usual but I think that was just me having an off day. Less than half done after an uncharacteristically long 30 minute first pass. It didn’t start … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 27,951 by Vulcan
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27951.
Independent on Sunday 1,546 / Hypnos
A pleasant start to a Sunday morning with nothing too troublesome or obscure. There seemed to be a lot of people in the clues/entries but I cannot see any connection between them so … Read more >>
AZED 2,469
A Spoonerisms puzzle for this month’s competition: the first for over a year
Everyman 3,808
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3808.
Independent 10,296 by Hob
A cool bright autumnal day and a tussle with Hob awaits. Also a colourful theme to accompany the autumnal leaves as they turn from green to orange. There are a number of answers … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,944 / Boatman
I suspect I’m not the only one to have wondered why puzzle 27,943, published on Friday, October 4th, themed on a race to be run on Sunday 6th, was not scheduled for Saturday … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1402 – EL CID by Kruger
“Corrections to single letter misprints in the definitions in 20 clues roughly identify characters who, along with what they are, must be highlighted (29 cells in total) in the completed grid. A further character and the context in which he could be similarly classified must also be highlighted (another 19 cells). Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Financial Times 16,295 by WANDERER
Devious and challenging, yet 100% enjoyable! Thanks WANDERER!
Guardian Cryptic 27,949 by Qaos
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27949.
Independent 10,295 by Phi
As always with Phi everything (apart from one very slight doubt at 9dn) is utterly sound and pleasant to solve: he has the ability to make a clue apparently intractable, and then when … Read more >>