Enigmatic Variations No.1346 – Driver by Oxymoron

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“In DRIVER, a word is to be removed from each clue before solving. Letters formed by adding the initial letter of that word to the last letter of the clue answer define a word (A=1,27; B=2,28; etc). Solvers must reveal that word by highlighting seven of its examples, a total of 51 cells. Chambers Dictionary (2016) is recommended, but does not give 40ac (in OED) and 3dn (a fairly common term).”

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Guardian Cryptic 27614 Brummie

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A slow start, but once having got a foothold, it wasn’t as bad as it first seemed. Thanks to Brummie. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Part of Tennessee Williams’ last … Read more >>

Independent 9,960 by Phi

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This was a rather-kinder-than-usual crossword from Phi, but its neat clueing was as good as always.

I shall not be in later so won’t be able to react to any comments until late on Saturday at the earliest.

Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.

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Financial Times 15,963 by REDSHANK

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A typical workout from Redshank, thanks to whom for setting a solid challenge. In my opinon, one of the more balanced crosswords I have solved recently, being not too easy and not too difficult .

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Independent 9,959 – Serpent

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I may have solved every single crossword that Serpent wrote for The Independent but I’ve never blogged one. Until now, with thanks to Bertandjoyce, who are having a great time probably, at the moment being as close to the South Pole as we are to the North Pole (unless you live Down Under, perhaps).  Hence me today.

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Guardian 27,612 / Vlad

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It’s Vlad’s turn to wake us up [and how!] this Wednesday morning.     I found this quite a challenge, not least in the parsing department, but all the more satisfying for that. … Read more >>