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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 15h

New puzzle from me today in @economist.com 🥳
(Subscription required)

Sample clue:

One let a man in lycra out? That’s gutsy! (10,5)

Alex Selby-Boothroyd @alexselbyb.bsky.social · 16h

In addition to our daily mini crossword, @economist.com now has a weekend 15x15 cryptic. Try your hand at this one, set by the magnificently monickered Playfair (@petermoorefuller.bsky.social)

www.economist.com/interactive/...

The Economist's 15x15 cryptic crossword grid

Across clues:
Fare for voyage once taken from Shanghai to Osaka? (4,4)
Somehow Germans see inadequacy (10)
Manager acquiring first bit of intelligent office equipment (6)
Foolish setter’s anger about European Commission (8)
Disgusting thin porridge unfinished by certain people (8)
Admiral’s command to provide weapon to a US court official (6)
Cool place to keep bits (4,6)
Flipping allegiance to secure vote to leave (4)
Possesses dresses but not a shred of gingham (4)
Relating to pressure from erratic mob on the move (10)
Major issues in verbal contract for loparite? (6)
Card game where black six is wild (8)
Relax, time available includes an extra date (1st of Nov) (4,4)
Scruffy boat and Royal Navy ship interlocked - handles awkwardly! (6)
King and Playfair on motorway North with consort in a terrible way (10)

Down clues:
Mysterious object regularly spotted in outflow (3)
Belief in know-nothingism holding back sharp tool (5)
Dramatist’s horse getting despondent (7)
One let a man in lycra out? That’s gutsy! (10,5)
Grab ice, crushed, as protection for 5d (7)
Back working with “company men” in Montana - I can’t talk about it (2,7)
LIV Golf and friends developing feature for hi-tech carts? (4,7)
Hardworking US rider pulled muscle in overseas contest right after 2016 Olympics (4,7)
City leaders in annual meeting still terribly angry about uprising (9)
Everyone in favour getting party decoration (7)
On the whole, Playfair interjects in a slightly wet fashion (7)
This could be called offensive, almost, and very loud (5)
Little sibling’s world turned upside down (3)

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 3d

This is so unbelievably basic.
Degrees are not purely vocational.
Careers are not linear.
Interdisciplinarity is essential.

My own journey is from a degree in English into marketing, into design, into science communication. My arts background is incredibly valuable to my work in science.

The Bear @bearlypolitics.co.uk · 4d

So, the plan is to cut English, the arts, and sociology - the degrees that actually study culture - while on another part of your platform claiming to “defend” British culture.

It’s performance nationalism with a reading age of seven.

Badenoch: Curb students taking 'rip-off' degrees such as English
The performing arts, sociology and anthropology are among the subjects the Conservatives would like to cut

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Reposted by PeterMF

Henri @henriwords.com · 5d

🥁🥁🥁 I set the October puzzle in the Guardian’s Genius series under my new setting name ‘Odo’

Ever since I started crosswording it’s been my ambition to get into the Guardian, it’s always been ‘my paper’. Many thanks to @alanconnor.bsky.social for the opportunity

www.theguardian.com/crosswords/2...

Genius crossword No 268

Deadline for entries is 23:59 GMT on Saturday 1 November. You need to register once and then sign in to theguardian.com to enter our online competition for a £100 monthly prize

www.theguardian.com

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 8d

Seconded! ❤️ Looses.

PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 16d

Good idea!
20 is POOH and 11 is RENO

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 16d

Someone from my recent crossword workshop sent me this clue from a Telegraph Toughie book:

Warning that 2011 might split, for example? (9,5)

Crossers are R _ V _ R _ I _ G _ I _ H _
So very likely REVERSING LIGHT?

Can anyone parse it?

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 29d

Ah gotcha. I couldn’t solve it because it has no definition! How about:
One fleeced crossword solver, we hear (3)

PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 29d

Tell me what the answer is to 3 and I’ll give you a review of that one too :)
Hope it’s helpful!

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 29d

Clue 2 is BASAL.
Again, the definition works. The wordplay is better, but the grammar is off. You mean boat stall oddly. The surface needs work - why would a boat stall be foundational? What’s a boat stall?

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 29d

The surface doesn’t give a convincing story. There’s a French potato, whose middle section turns, in a fictional diner. I mean, it has a surreal Lynchian quality!

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 29d

Clue 1 is ROTATOR.
The definition works, the wordplay has a problem or two and the surface doesn’t make much sense!
The heart of potato is TA, not OTATO. I haven’t watched twin peaks for many years and had forgotten the double R. I suspect many solvers wouldn’t know this.

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Sep 11

I love that they’re calling it an e-sport.

excel-esports.uk

Microsoft Excel World Championship UK

Join the FMWC UK Microsoft Excel World Championship for a chance to compete in Las Vegas and showcase your Excel Esports skills!

excel-esports.uk

PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Sep 11

I love this story. I love the final is in Vegas.
I love spreadsheets.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Scunthorpe's Ha Dang heads for Microsoft Excel World Championship

Accountant Ha Dang will represent the UK in the Microsoft Excel World Championship in December.

www.bbc.co.uk

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Sep 11

Crossword folks, what do we think about multiple definitions AND wordplay in a clue?

Example, Imogen 29,663:
Check on a rod for fish (5)

I don’t like it, but would be interested to know how others feel about it.

5

PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Sep 9

Pre-order done ✅

Henri @henriwords.com · Sep 9

I am absolutely delighted to tell you that @unchcrosswords.com - a new #cryptic #crossword magazine coming out in October, that I have had the immense pleasure of helping out on (alongside some *lovely* people) has today opened up UK pre-orders for its launch issue 🚀

unchcrosswords.com

Unch Crossword Magazine

Unch, the clued-up crossword magazine

unchcrosswords.com

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Sep 9

I’m headed to the wonderful Wells Maltings on November 4th for another beginners cryptic crossword workshop.
This time with afternoon tea included!

www.wellsmaltings.org.uk/events/a-beg...

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO SOLVING CRYPTIC CROSSWORDS: A WORKSHOP WITH AFTERNOON TEA - Wells Maltings - Wells Cinema and Theatre

A Beginner’s Guide to Solving Cryptic Crosswords In this workshop, Peter Moore Fuller (Bard in the Independent Crossword) will introduce you to the wonderful world of cryptic crosswords where playful...

www.wellsmaltings.org.uk

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Sep 9

I attended a design industry event at a big Ed tech conference not too long ago, chatted to teachers and I’m afraid this satire is too late.

“To design is to think” Dieter Rams.
Let’s not outsource the thinking eh?

via @skirwingle.bsky.social

Private Eye Magazine @privateeyenews.bsky.social · Sep 9

Art class

From the latest Private Eye, out now.

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Sep 8

I tried to enlist its help on this themed puzzle, and it was absolutely useless. What frustrates me is the way it expresses itself so confidently!

mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/1716

Cryptic crossword No 1,716 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 1,716 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 39 clues by chopin. Published Thu 18 Apr 2024. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

mycrossword.co.uk

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Sep 7

In case some folks are too young (or too old) ❤️

youtu.be/GrQCro68sRU?...

Spin Doctors - Jimmy Olsen's Blues (New Version)

YouTube video by SpinDoctorsVEVO

youtu.be

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Aug 26

Just got round to watching the documentary on C4 about Norwich Castle. Highly recommend. Also highly recommend a visit to the renovated keep - I’ve been twice already.

Congrats to all involved!

Seen 'The Castle: Rebuilding History'? Watch it here on Channel 4:

www.channel4.com/programmes/t...

The Castle: Rebuilding History

Follow Norwich Castle's restoration: one of Europe’s most complex heritage projects

www.channel4.com

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Aug 21

Or perhaps the doctor might gently point out…

“For starters, puzzles actually nurture intelligence and calm fear” (5)

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Reposted by PeterMF

Coot @coot.bsky.social · Aug 9

My first stab at a Quiptic proved surprisingly popular. So here’s another.

All the usual thanks to @mycrossword.co.uk

#Quiptic #crossword

www.mycrossword.co.uk/quick/280

Quick crossword No 280 · MyCrossword

Solve Quick crossword No 280 on MyCrossword. 13x13 grid with 28 clues by Coot. Published Sat 9 Aug 2025. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

www.mycrossword.co.uk

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Aug 8

Join me for an afternoon learning how to solve cryptic crossword puzzles in the fine city of Norwich on the 7th September.

Tickets here:

thehollowaynorwich.com/events/RVb6g...

Shares and word of mouth appreciated!

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Jul 30

Oooooo

Unch @unchcrosswords.com · Jul 30

🥁🥁🥁 Coming Soon — a brand new cryptic crossword magazine we’re calling Unch. Interested? Sign up for email updates at unchcrosswords.com to find out more. And we’d love it if you could repost this to your own followers 👍

unch

unchcrosswords.com

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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · Jul 19

Sorry to be a downer, but I don’t approve of this sort of cunning.
EOTR print shop charges for prints on site. Payment in kind is OK, but not crowdsourcing from indeterminate pool. Find the nearest illustration degree course. Visit end of year show in June. Commission your favourites directly ☺️

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