I thought this a good straightforward puzzle. Often when one reads ‘straightforward’ in an introduction it is a eupemism for either ‘too easy’ or ‘dull’ – in this case not so. I didn’t coast though this nor did I find it boring. In the race to provide ever more new and innovative clues I think good straightforward puzzles sometimes get overlooked. Thank you Jason.
Guardian 26,935 – Puck
Some good Puckish fun today… … with a bit of a numerical theme around the boundary. I’m baffled by 26a – commenters to the rescue please.. Thanks to Puck … Read more >>
Independent 9281 / Dac
Dac provides us with his usual Wednesday challenge I thought this was to towards the easier end of Dac’s difficulty spectrum. The only thing that gave me real difficulty was … Read more >>
Inquisitor 1445: More Surprising by Ifor
I think Ifor can soon be classed as a prolific setter of Inquisitor puzzles that make you think. Please note that this blog is best viewed on a desktop or a laptop. There … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,290 by SAYANG
One or two pleasing wrinkles in a very fair Tuesday puzzle from Sayang, a new setter to me.
Independent 9,280 by Scorpion
Scorpion is never all that easy, but this wasn’t too bad. There were still several clues that detained me, but apart from one or two minor quibbles, everything seems to be fair.
Definitions underlined and in maroon.
Guardian Cryptic 26,934 by Boatman
A themed offering from Boatman
Quiptic 869 by Pan
Pan’s turn in the Quiptic slot this week.
Independent 9279 eXternal
I’ve given up on saying that the Monday puzzle in the Indy is no longer ‘the easy one’. It was, but it isn’t any more. Fair play. I found this pretty hard, and … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26,933 by Rufus
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26933.
Everyman 3639
Good stuff as usual from Everyman. Apologies for the late appearance of the blog. You’re right: I forgot it was my turn. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1377/Raich
A bit tougher than the usual Raich, I thought. Or perhaps just me still recovering from England’s double exit from Europe, so brain not in gear. That said, there was … Read more >>
AZED 2,300/mishmash
Surprisingly easy — managed most of the puzzle while watching a replay of Germany/Italy. Probably had to make more trips to the chamberpot than to Chambers. Obviously I was distracted since more than a few sloppy parses pointed out by kind commentators!
Guardian Prize 26,926 by Picaroon
An enjoyable challenge from Picaroon this week, with many subtle touches.
Enigmatic Variations 1232: Something Isn’t There by Samuel
On first inspection of SOMETHING ISN’T THERE, I had a touch of the Rumsfelds – there are ‘known unknowns’, and there might well be some ‘unknown unknowns’… Will Samuel be using his weapons of … Read more >>