Matilda’s turn in the Quiptic slot this week.
Independent 9,806 by Crosophile
An enjoyable puzzle from the reliable Crosophile.
Guardian 27,460 – Vulcan
Vulcan makes his (?) second appearance in the Monday slot with a puzzle that I found very straightforward – somewhat easier than today’s Quiptic, in fact – with a couple of extremely simple … Read more >>
Private Eye (Cyclops/620) Rescind Break-ups
A quick solve this time which is just as well as I am a bit under the weather (*) Special mention to the wordplay of 17A for giving me a chuckle, and the surface … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,810 by CRUX
It’s 2am, it’s so cold that it’s been snowing in London, we’ve done the best we can. Nice crossword, thanks CRUX!
Everyman 3726
Another sound puzzle from Everyman. Of the 28 clues, there was one hidden reversed, one anagram and two dds; the remaining 24 were charades or insertions. A bit of … Read more >>
Azed 2387
This all went in quickly and smoothly, with the application of quantities of educated guesswork, and just a bit of trouble finishing off the NW corner. Thanks to Azed. … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1464 Hoskins
Thanks to Hoskin for a hard enough IoS. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 I rent pets or fish out (3,5,6) THE FIRST PERSON : Anagram of(… out) RENT PETS OR … Read more >>
Independent 9805 / Klingsor
We haven’t blogged a Klingsor for a while, but we always enjoy his puzzles – this was no exception. We can’t see a theme or a nina, but that doesn’t mean there … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,453 by Paul
A puzzle with some brilliance but with one answer which is not to be found in most dictionaries.
Enigmatic Variations No. 1320: Keith by Opsimath
A delightfully short preamble this week: In KEITH, solvers must complete the unclued row (13, four words), and then highlight the symmetrically placed six-letter surnames of four people most closely associated with the … Read more >>
Independent 9,804 / Phi
Phi’s latest teaser brings this week’s set of mid-week puzzles to an end in time-honoured fashion. I found this puzzle to be quite a challenge and, although I solved quite a few clues … Read more >>
Guardian 27,458 – Tramp
Another of Tramp’s clever “theme-in-the-clues” puzzles, where as usual no knowledge of the subject is needed. There seem to be quite a few musical references (some perhaps a bit tenuous) in the answers … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,808 by WANDERER
A superb challenge from Wanderer, thanks to whom for a riveting session of solving. Several favorite clues here, many of which had good misdirection without compromising on clue integrity.
Guardian Cryptic 27457 Paul
This wasn’t easy – in the initial stages, it felt like I was stuck after every other entry. Thanks to Paul. Definitions are underlined in the clues. This was one for fans of … Read more >>