Paul on sparkling form this week, with two outrageous homophones.
Independent 10,115 / Phi
Having occupied the Tuesday slot last week, Phi is back in his usual Friday slot this week. Despite there being the potential for a Nina around the perimeter of this puzzle, there doesn’t … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,116 by BRADMAN
Familiar setter for a Friday. Fairly straightforward puzzle with just a couple of clues holding me up from a quick solve. Thanks Bradman.
Guardian Cryptic 27,769 by Paul
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27769.
Guardian 27,768 / Philistine
Philistine breezes in to cheer another wet and windy day. This was all pretty straightforward, apart from one more tricksy piece of parsing – once again proving that a puzzle doesn’t need to … Read more >>
Independent 10114 / Nimrod
It’s Thursday, so we can expect a difficult crossword Nimrod has given us what we expect … and more. I found this one of the hardest crosswords I have solved … Read more >>
Financial Times 16,115 by NEO
A slow burner from Neo.
Financial Times 16,105 by Alberich
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 3, 2019
Financial Times 16,114 / Julius
PeeDee has had to go out unexpectedly so I am a late stand-in for this enjoyable puzzle from Julius. Unfortunately there is one clue (25ac) that I cannot fully explain so I hope … Read more >>
Independent 10,113 by Loglady
Loglady is new to me, which is not surprising since he/she has almost always appeared in the IoS, which I don’t see. Glad to have made the acquaintance: to begin with my impression was that this was an easy new setter, as the first answers went in quickly, but I ground to a halt and was defeated by 6dn. On the way there were some very good clues (1dn, 8dn).
Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Guardian Cryptic 27,767 by Brendan
Very fun with some very smooth and tricky surfaces. Favourites included 25ac, 3dn, 13dn, and 22dn. Many thanks to Brendan
Inquisitor 1584: I Give You … by Jetdoc
A setter new to the Inquisitor, and who, as it happens, is ‘in partnership’ with the editor. (It turns out that she is not the setter, but that it was some “Mr H”. … Read more >>
Financial Times 16113 Hamilton
Apologies for this very late blog. This wasn’t that easy, as there some definitions that were uncommon, and quite a few double definitions. Thanks to Hamilton. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across … Read more >>
Guardian 27,766 – Brummie
A gentle workout from Brummie today, with quite a few rather obvious clues. No (obvious) theme that I can see, though I’m ready to be enlightened… Thanks to Brummie. And indeed there is … Read more >>
Independent 10,112 by Vigo
An enjoyable puzzle from Vigo today. We rattled through the top half extremely quickly but then slowed down.