To finish this crossword I used aids. Usually when I do so I regret it afterwards, feeling that the answer really should have been clear, but in this case there was no self-reproach since the words were so unusual that despite some help from the wordplay they would probably still be empty spaces. None of the answers at 4ac, 12ac, 4dn, 6dn or 7dn are in Chambers Crossword Dictionary (2006) and only 4dn and 7dn are in Bradford’s (2006). So far as I can see, anyway.
Guardian Cryptic 26752 by Philistine
The puzzle may be found at http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26752.
Financial Times 15111 by CINCINNUS
A rarely seen setter on a Friday, Cincinnus gives us a straightforward challenge with just a touch of some unusual words to keep things interesting. Clean, unambiguous cluing meant that the parsing was a breeze. 14ac and 30ac were new words for me, both of which were “getable” from the clue.
Guardian 26,751 / Paul
A lovely puzzle from Paul, ingenious and witty, with a most congenial, for me, mini-theme. It caused a fair bit of head-scratching: several answers were inspired guesses, leading to relieved ‘ahas’ when the parsing … Read more >>
Independent 9097 / Vigo
This is our first blog of a Vigo puzzle, and we’re already looking forward to the next! There are some great clues here, with a good range of difficulty – just what … Read more >>
Financial Times 15110 by BRADMAN
A super crossword. Entertaining and fun. Thanks, Bradman
Financial Times 15,100 by Rosa Klebb
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 28, 2015
Financial Times 15109 by WANDERER
Easier to guess the solutions than to explain them. Thanks to Wanderer for a very enjoyable tussle.
Independent 9,096 / Dac
Today offered me what will doubtless be my last opportunity to blog a Dac puzzle in 2015. And rather fittingly, this puzzle bears all the hallmarks of the other Dac puzzles that I … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26750 by Chifonie
A quick solve and very enjoyable – favourites were 6ac and 12dn.
Inquisitor 1414: Breakthrough by Schadenfreude
Another Schadenfreude offering this week. Usually quite difficult and this was no exception, not helped by slightly misleading (to me, Hi, anyway) rubric, which read: After filling the grid, solvers must obey the … Read more >>
Guardian 26,749 – Brummie
An enjoyable puzzle from Brummie with some helpful anagrams to get things going. Thanks to the setter. Getting 12a and 22a early on led me to the theme of Andy Warhol and his … Read more >>
Financial Times 15,108 / Crux
When I started this one I thought it was going to be a walk in the park because entries were going in at a fair rate of knots but this proved not to … Read more >>
Independent 9095 / Radian
A puzzle from Radian today that doesn’t have any obscure entries, but does have one entry that I have great difficulty spelling The theme in this crossword developed gradually but … Read more >>