Monday Prize Crossword / May 2, 2016
Slightly harder than Falcon’s previous puzzle, two weeks ago.
But all fair, and enjoyable.
Financial Times 15,228 by Dogberry
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of April 30, 2016
Independent 9,227 by Quixote
The usual very satisfactory crossword from Quixote, despite my misgivings about 22dn. Just as Phi does a crossword for the BBC Music Magazine and so his clues often have musical references, so Quixote is the crossword editor of The Church Times and he tends to use ecclesiastical ideas more often than the average. And it wouldn’t be a Quixote without at least one rare word, possibly two: here they are at 1dn and 20dn.
Guardian Cryptic 26,881 by Brendan
A topical themed offering from Brendan
Financial Times 15,237 by AARDVARK
Another enjoyable Wednesday puzzle, thank you Aardvark.
Inquisitor 1436: My Diet by Gila
Before we start, a brief message from the editor: Hi all, sorry for hijacking the thread. Just to say … 14 across in Samuel’s IQ1437 puzzle, published last Saturday, omitted the word … Read more >>
Independent 9226 / S.park
Another new setter in the Indy or an existing one using a new pseudonym? In view of the overall style, and some of the definitions/wordplay, I don’t think it is the latter. I could … Read more >>
Financial Times 15236 Gaff
(Please click here for this same blog but with a picture quiz added. Please do NOT post hereinbelow any comment relating to the picture quiz. Thank you.) A nice solve, not a write-in, … Read more >>
Financial Times 15236 with Picture Quiz
(Please post comments on ONLY the picture quiz hereinbelow. To post comments on the crossword puzzle, please click here.) A nice solve, not a write-in, even after identifying the birthday boy. Thanks to Gaff. … Read more >>
Guardian Cryptic 26,880 by Boatman
The puzzle may be found at https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/26880.
Guardian 26,879 / Rufus
A traditional Monday morning medley of anagrams and double and cryptic definitions from Rufus, which I enjoyed solving. Thank you, Rufus. Across 1 Number, figure and cipher (6) NOBODY NO [number] + BODY … Read more >>
Guardian Quiptic 860/Hectence
She’s good at this Quiptic stuff, you know. All clearly clued and some light-hearted moments. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] letter(s) … Read more >>
Independent 9225/Raich
Always good to see Raich giving us a puzzle. There was much to enjoy here, although I must say that I found a few of the surfaces a bit clunky by this setter’s … Read more >>
Cyclops 572: Forced offshore
More than one force being with us in this puzzle. 25a was the last to go into my completed grid. Clue of the puzzle has to be 10a/9d, for the magnificent anagram (anything … Read more >>
Independent 1,368 by Kairos
Sorry this is late, I’m still forgetting that the IoS is no longer a prize puzzle and is now blogged on the day of publication.
I found this tricky until I got into Kairos’s mindset and stopped looking for the obvious definitions. Very nice puzzle, though I have to admit to a little cheating at the end to get the blog out quickly. Thank you Kairos.
There is an unusual Nina in the grid – see Kairos’s comment – number 6.