Monday begins with VELIA, who we have not seen before…
Guardian Cryptic 27,735 by Chifonie
The week kicks off with Chifonie’s Monday puzzle.
Private Eye/Cyclops 643 Resentful Toffs
I thought this was going to be over too soon. I swept through most of the top half after getting 1a and 4 with ease delivering all those first letters, (I wondered about … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,510 by Poins
The puzzle can be found here. Hi all. Thanks to Poins for today’s Independent, which I enjoyed but had a little trouble with at the very end. I don’t want to be down … Read more >>
Genius No 187 by Vlad
A tougher than usual Genius for January, employing a device that I don’t recall seeing before.
Azed No 2,433
I only remembered that I was due to blog this puzzle on Saturday evening, having solved one clue on Sunday and then having put the puzzle aside. Panic stations!
Everyman 3,772
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3772.
Independent 10,080 by Nimrod (Saturday Puzzle 2 February 2019)
OK – it’s a Nimrod – and it has five 15-letter solutions, two 12s, two 11s and a couple of 10s…stiff upper lip and press on… Rather than attacking the 3s and 4s, … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,728 / Paul
Unsurprisingly, Paul appears in his customary fortnightly Prize slot and thus coincides with my monthly blog. This was a challenge worthy of a Prize puzzle and I enjoyed solving it. I’m not always … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1366 – The Clash by Auctor
“THE CLASH will be on stage thirteen times. One set of letters (according to definitions when read in clue order) gives two names, whilst the other set spells the names of three adversaries; a generic name for the former pair appears in the circles. All grid entries are given by wordplay, and Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended.”
Guardian Cryptic 27733 Paul
This was a bit daunting at the beginning. Thanks Paul. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Rider went, doing a backflip, one that’s out of this world (4,5) DEEP SPACE : … Read more >>
Independent 10,079 by Phi
As always from Phi, a pleasant crossword whose secrets are quite obvious once they are revealed, but are less obvious to begin with. I’m lost on one of them, but will I trust be helped by someone; indeed I predict that within an hour someone will have put me right and all will be clear and I’ll wonder how I was ever so stupid.
Definitions in maroon, underlined. Anagram indicators in italics.
Financial Times 16,080 by ALBERICH
Quite liked this challenge from Alberich today – had to put in some hard work to get through it all. Elegant cluing and clever misdirection peppered throughout the puzzle.
Independent 10,078 by Klingsor
We always look forward to the next Klingsor….and here it is!
Financial Times 16,079 by DOGBERRY
Dogberry provides today’s FT challenge.