A quick, enjoyable solve. Favourites 12ac and 25ac. Thanks, Chifonie.
Guardian Genius 166 by Picaroon
The preamble to Genius 166 by Picaroon states that: “Two across solutions taken together indicate something missing from all the other 14 across clues, either as the definition or as part of their … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,418 by Hypnos
You tend to know where you stand with Hypnos, and this Sunday’s puzzle was no exception. As such there isn’t a great deal for me to add: nothing stuck out as controversial or … Read more >>
AZED 2,341
Not particularly hard for an Azed — but this was really a solve-by-committee (of work colleagues — thanks Martin and Frank!) so hard to gauge really. Some very nice surfaces (I liked the googly clue for obvious reasons).
Everyman 3,680
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3680.
Guardian Prize 27,178 / Paul
An amusing and decIDEdly fishy puzzle from Paul – and I promise no more puns. The top half was filled in quickly but I rather ran into the buffers in the bottom half, … Read more >>
Enigmatic Variations No.1274 – Structure by proXimal
Puzzles like this one, where the clues given in alphabetical order of their answers, tend to involve a fair amount of cold solving before a tipping point where (if the solver is lucky) everything slots into place. I have a soft spot for them, but the obvious worry is that one will run into difficulty with the cold solving.
Independent 9,530 by Rodriguez
My first occasion to lock horns with Rodriguez, at least on a blogging day. This one all seemed to go in very smoothly. That the theme was clearly signposted at 27 across certainly … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,535 by MUDD
An excellent fun crossword from MUDD. Several inventive clues and misdirections kept proceedings consistenly interesting !!
Independent 9,529 by Phi
The usual utterly sound and enjoyable crossword from Phi. You can tell how good it is because (although on the easy side for Phi) it presents its fair share of problems while solving, but all the constructions turn out to be very straightforward.
Guardian Cryptic 27,183 by Nutmeg
A tough solve and an enjoyable one – I really liked 22/26ac, 19dn and 23dn. Thanks, Nutmeg
Guardian 27,182 – Boatman
I found this mostly less tricky than usual for Boatman, but still had a bit of trouble finishing off the top half, not helped by the horrible grid, with four almost isolated corners, … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,534 by ALBERICH
A challenging puzzle from Alberich this cold Thurday morning…
Independent 9528 / Tees
A good challenge from Tees today, although there were one or two clues that we struggled with and some new words to check out. We had come across the Gods in 10ac before … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,525 – Armonie
(Easter) Monday Prize Crossword / Apr 17, 2017
Armonie’s puzzle was mostly (but not fully) straightforward. Enjoyable, too.