The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27569.
Guardian Quiptic 975 Moley
Thanks to Moley. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Options to change the indigenous population (12) ALTERNATIVES : ALTER(to change) + NATIVES(members of the indigenous population). 8 Look back at student … Read more >>
Guardian 27,568 / Pan
A pleasant puzzle from Pan to start the week. There’s sound cluing, some innovative anagram indicators and elegant and often witty surfaces throughout. Thank you, Pan – I enjoyed it. Definitions … Read more >>
Independent 9,914 by Gila
This was a little trickier than previous Gila puzzles with some good misdirection.
Financial Times 15,917 by CRUX
This took us slightly longer than it normally would for a Monday FT, but a great puzzle!
Cyclops 629 – No-Deal Brexit? Road To Hell…
Cyclops has his finger on the Brexit pulse this fortnight…if it still has a pulse?… …with references to the scheming Boris, ‘pathetic Remoaners’, a ‘burnt-out’ UKIP leader and loathesome Lords. A passing mention … Read more >>
Everyman 3,744
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3744.
Azed 2405
I solved this quite quickly, but fully parsing some of the the clues took a while, and I’m not completely satisfied with my explanation of 11d, unless the clue is uncharacteristically loose, which seems unlikely. Thanks to Azed.
Independent on Sunday 1,482 by Peter
A solve of two halves for me, this one. It initially seemed like this would be a walk in the park, but pleasingly enough there were a number of points to lock horns … Read more >>
Independent 9913 by Tyrus (Sat 21-July 2018)
Puzzles by Tyrus are always good – this one is some sort of tour de force Solving was an absolute delight. I had read through all across clues plus half a dozen down … Read more >>
Guardian Prize 27,561 / Arachne
I think I’ve said before that the preamble is often the most difficult part of the blog to write. I really can’t remember a harder one than this one – it has taken … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1338 – London Songbook by Marmaduke
“In a game of LONDON SONGBOOK, six clues consist of a partial song title that can be completed in a punning fashion by adding the name of a part of London. For instance, If I Were a ____ (from Fiddler on the Roof) might be completed with the word ‘Richmond’ to give a punning version of the song title If I Were a Rich Man. Answers to these clues must be entered where they will fit. In ten across clues, the wordplay leads to the answer and an additional letter not to be entered into the grid. In clue order, these letters give a musical group and a further partial song title; solvers must highlight the eight-letter part of London which might complete the title.”
Financial Times 15,915 by MUDD
A solid challenge from MUDD to end the work week . Thanks MUDD !
Independent 9,912 by Phi
Every week Phi gives good value for money and this was no exception. As always there are plenty of excellent clues (6ac in particular) and everything was very enjoyable. I found this on the straightforward side for Phi, who is occasionally rather tricky, but even so that statement on the tab SETTERS where I suggest that Phi usually takes about 25 minutes seems to be a thing of the past I’m afraid.
Definitions underlined, in maroon. Anagram indicators in italics.
Guardian 27,566 / Paul
An enjoyable puzzle from Paul to end the week. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1 Ugly thing, thorny area with trees (7) ORCHARD ORC [ugly thing] + HARD [thorny] 5 Only … Read more >>