Some clever surfaces and ingenious word play in this prize puzzle, but I have a few quibbles.
Manchester (Inquisitor) S&B – 22nd July – Update
The announcement for this event has been updated.
Independent 9,590 by Morph
Maybe I haven’t been paying attention, but it was a bit of a surprise to see Morph appear on a Saturday. In fact, solving seemed to go smoothly enough that I started to … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No. 1284: Team by Chalicea
After my last EV slog blog (Mynot’s atomic numbers), hopefully an easier week with Chalicea. The preamble was straightforward, so all boded well: In TEAM, 20ac (two words) in the 27ac was the … Read more >>
Independent 9,589 / Phi
Phi has provided the last of this week’s mid-week puzzles. I found this to be at the easier end of the Phi/Indy spectrum, a light solve to ease me gently into the weekend. … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,595 by BRADMAN
A mostly straightforward challenge from BRADMAN this morning. One 15-letter, Two 14-letter and Two 13-letter anagrams in the grid. Thanks Don, for the workout. Got excited momentarily by the last row searching for a nina.
Guardian Cryptic 27,243 by Imogen
Very tricky – held up by two of the longer ones and then in the top right corner. Favourites 15ac and 24ac. Thanks, Imogen.
Financial Times 15,594 by GURNEY
Gurney provides us with an entertaining challenge this morning.
Independent 9588 / Punk
I don’t think I’m giving away anything that the clues don’t spell out when I say that Punk celebrates a sport today. Today is the opening day of the cricket … Read more >>
Guardian 27,242 – Chifonie
Even by Chifonie’s standards this was a very quick and easy solve, but also a nice display of some elegant and sound clueing. Thanks to Chifonie. Across … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,585 – Falcon
Monday Prize Crossword / Jun 26, 2017
A pleasant Falcon crossword but also one that I found extremely easy.
Financial Times 15,584 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 24, 2017 Mudd manages four uses of ‘game’ in this puzzle — almost a theme! My clue of the week is 20d (THANK YOU) and … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,593 by AARDVARK
This was five mini crosswords: four corners and a middle, each connected by a single cell. I enjoyed each of them individually and and the puzzle as a whole. The clues were not hard but the repeated cold starts made completing the whole a little more of a challenge. Thank you Aardvark.
Independent 9,587 by Silvanus
A pleasant gentle crossword from Silvanus today. I thought one or two of the surfaces (10ac, 15ac, …) were perhaps a little underwhelming, but on the other hand some (11ac, 1dn, …) were very good.
Definitions underlined and in maroon.
Guardian Cryptic 27,241 by Nutmeg
A smooth, straightforward offering from Nutmeg this morning.