A tricky, slow solve, with a lot of parsing done after the grid was filled – and some parsing only after the rest of the blog was finished. Favourites were 11ac for the surface, 23ac, 26/9, 5dn, and 18dn. Thanks to Paul for the challenge.
Financial Times 16,300 by NEO
A straightforward puzzle from Neo this morning.
Independent 10,300 by Serpent
This really set me back and I spent ages on it, eventually giving up and using aids. But as always of course with Serpent it is pretty good. I have no excuses but … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,290 by Rosa Klebb
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 5, 2019
Financial Times 16,299 by JULIUS
Always good to see Julius’s name at the top. Thank you Julius. A fruit and nut puzzle. ACROSS 1 POMEGRANATE Fruit rock from England hawked in a Sydney market? (11) sounds like “pommy … Read more >>
Guardian 27,953 – Philistine
A very enjoyable puzzle from Philistine today. I found it quite a quick solve, helped by gentle clueing for the four long answers around the outside of the grid. Thanks to Philistine. … Read more >>
Independent 10,299 by Eccles
Another Eccles for us to blog today……..
Independent 10,298 / Filbert
Today’s crossword has been supplied by Filbert, and it wouldn’t be Tuesday if we didn’t have a theme, would it?! The first and top rows of the completed grid spell out ENGLISH CHANNEL, … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1615: Corpsing by Encota
Corpsing by Encota Three clues comprise wordplay only. All clues contain an extra word that must be removed before solving. In clue order the first and last letters of these words spell … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,298 by FLIMSY
Speedy Tuesday solve, neat cluing and smooth surfaces.
Guardian Cryptic 27,952 by Tramp
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 >>