Fifteensquared – Page 845 – Never knowingly undersolved

Everyman 3,676

Sun April 2, 2017 at 12:00 am by PeterO

The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/everyman/3676.

Independent 9506 / Nimrod

Sat April 1, 2017 at 10:15 amSat April 1, 2017 at 8:43 am by Bertandjoyce

Well, what can we say? We really struggled to get started and wondered whether we would have to ‘phone a friend’ or admit defeat. In the end it was definitely one of those puzzles … Read more >>

Guardian Prize 27,154 / Shed

Sat April 1, 2017 at 8:01 amSat April 1, 2017 at 12:05 am by Eileen

It’s well over a year since I blogged a Shed puzzle – but there have only been seven since then. Several of us often say we don’t see enough of him. Anyway, a welcome … Read more >>

Enigmatic Variations No.1270 – Uplifting by Chalicea

Mon April 3, 2017 at 10:45 amSat April 1, 2017 at 12:01 am by Mister Sting

The preamble tells us that there is an UPLIFTING sentiment found in five sides of the perimeter. However, the grid is a square, so what does this mean?

Financial Times 15,512 by PETO

Fri March 31, 2017 at 10:49 am by Turbolegs

A breezy challenge from Peto this Friday.

This must be the smallest 15×15 crossword ever published in a national daily, having only 20 clues. The Times Quick Cryptic, which is 13×13, seldom has so few clues, but really this is one of the few 13×13 cryptics of 20 clues, with some answers lengthened. Four long acrosses and four long downs are the reason for the brevity. Phi has managed to make it all look sensible enough, though, and it must have been quite difficult to fit those long answers in.

As usual all very pleasant, as we have come to expect from Phi.

Definitions underlined and in maroon.

Guardian 27,159 – Tramp

Fri March 31, 2017 at 9:08 amFri March 31, 2017 at 7:38 am by Andrew

Once again Tramp has produced a puzzle with lots of thematic references in the clues, but without the need for solvers to know anything about the theme. It’s not giving anything away to … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,511 by SLEUTH

Thu March 30, 2017 at 9:07 am by loonapick

Couldn’t finish this one…

Independent 9504 / Tees

Thu March 30, 2017 at 8:06 am by Bertandjoyce

It took us a little while to get into Tees’ offering today, but in preparing the blog, we’re not quite sure why. Apart from a couple of references that we had to check … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 27158 Brummie

Fri March 31, 2017 at 1:52 pmThu March 30, 2017 at 7:45 am by scchua

Quite a straightforward puzzle. Thanks to Brummie. Definitions are underlined in the clues… A theme of outer space and its exploration: MOON, lunar LANDING, spaceWALK and MOONWALK, DOCKING, CAPSULE, ECLIPSE, APOLLO and GEMINI … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,502 – Gaff

Thu March 30, 2017 at 8:36 pmThu March 30, 2017 at 12:05 am by Sil

Monday Prize Crossword / Mar 20, 2017

Gaff and ‘Happy Birthday’ are almost synonymous.
March 20? Now, let’s see. Can only be one, surely.

Financial Times 15,501 by Mudd

Thu March 30, 2017 at 5:59 amThu March 30, 2017 at 12:01 am by Pete Maclean

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of March 18, 2017 I found this fairly hard but managed to complete it without help, except for looking up ‘numbat’ (3d). My clue of the week … Read more >>

Financial Times 15,510 by JULIUS

Wed March 29, 2017 at 12:04 pmWed March 29, 2017 at 11:00 am by PeeDee

An excellent puzzle from Julius, as we have come to expect. Thank you Julius.

Independent 9,503 / Dac

Wed March 29, 2017 at 8:00 am by RatkojaRiku

Although it is the last Wednesday of the month, when we might expect a stand-in compiler for him, Dac is here nonetheless with his latest puzzle, fidèle au poste! I actually found this … Read more >>

Guardian Cryptic 27,157 by Boatman

Wed March 29, 2017 at 3:38 am by PeterO

The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27157.