A new cryptic crossword, No 30,107, has been released offering puzzle enthusiasts a challenging grid to solve. This crossword includes a variety of intricate clues, both across and down, that play with language in imaginative ways.
Intriguing Across Clues
The across clues in this puzzle range from a rather personal hint at 8 across with eight letters to an intriguing description of a “wine jar adapted to store a frigid body” at 9 across, needing five letters. A dual clue is presented at 10 and 11 across, involving the entire workforce’s satisfaction with the speaker’s praise, and fills spaces of four and ten letters. Another engaging clue at 12 across asks solvers to piece together a rejected premier with an expert to create a six-letter pitch.
Further into the grid, 14 across challenges with the image of a testifier calling for a reduction to include page 1, asking for an eight-letter solution. The clue at 16 across involves stirring kin with love, less the hard part, designed to fit in a 3-4 letters slot. In a more sinister tone, 21 across refers to a hardened sibilant vocalist’s transformation into a so-called Prince of Darkness, spanning eight letters. The final across challenge at 28 sees solvers stabilising an article by an online pest and suppressing an ego, fitting into 4-4 letters.
Complex Down Clues
Among the down clues, 1 down presents a slur with liberal undone following an election, requiring an eight-letter solution. Meanwhile, 3 down offers an action-packed challenge with “daredevil bats taking cover” in six letters. The minimalist clue at 5 down involves an aspect of Latin examination over four letters. Additionally, the clue at 6 down depicts greens getting stony, posing a familiar complaint that fits into a 6,4 letter arrangement.
Further down the grid, an instruction at 15 down succinctly requires rejecting a groundbreaker’s last quarter in a mere three letters, and at 19 down, solvers must tackle the issue of “plain refusal by father to take on troubles” over 2-6 letters. Lastly, at 25 down and 2 down, there’s an inventive call to smooth over Shakespeare’s unrelenting resolve within two four-letter words.
This latest crossword provides ample mental stimulation and wordplay for enthusiasts aiming to solve a finely crafted linguistic puzzle. Each clue holds a unique play on words, challenging solvers to think creatively.
Reporting based on coverage first published by theguardian.com.