Posted by shuchi on 3rd September 2010
Easy anagrams and cryptic definitions, and a liberal helping of hidden word answers, made this a quick solve most of the way. I came to a halt at the last two and had to resort to lookups for 23A and 2D.
Posted in FT | 3 Comments »
Posted by smiffy on 2nd September 2010
A real bran tub today. Our ports of call range from the dangerously shallow (yes, I’m talking about you, five-letter answers!) to almost uncharted waters (C19th operatic minutiae).
Posted in FT | 3 Comments »
Posted by Pete Maclean on 2nd September 2010
Posted in FT | 4 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 1st September 2010
I found this to be one of the hardest FT puzzles for quite some time. The right-hand side was filled quickly enough but the left-hand, particularly the NW corner, caused me a few problems. However, it was an enjoyable challenge even though, for me, there were no particular PDMs that stood out.
Posted in FT | 5 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 31st August 2010
I heard a short while ago that Agentzero cannot make it today so here is the clue analysis. There is only limited commentary because I am very pressed for time as I have to go out shortly. Help required with 4dn and there may be a better explanation for 11ac and 15dn.
Posted in FT | 5 Comments »
Posted by shuchi on 27th August 2010
It is befitting that we have a lovely Bradman puzzle to solve on Don Bradman‘s birthday. Many anagram clues today, some excellent ones like 27a and 17d.
Posted in FT | 5 Comments »
Posted by smiffy on 26th August 2010
Please excuse the later than usual post; a plumbing emergency kiboshed my morning routine. But now that an 18A has been successfully issued and implemented on the pipe in question, I got to belatedly enjoy one of Mudd’s rare weekday outings.
Posted in FT | 7 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 26th August 2010
Monday Prize Crossword on 16 August 2010
Once again, Mr Smoothie is back to entertain us with his slick surfaces and glib clues.
Posted in FT | 3 Comments »
Posted by Pete Maclean on 26th August 2010
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 14
A fine Cincinnus this time with great anagrams in 24A (SVENGALI) and 5D (NOW THERE’S A THING), a dazzling cryptic definition in 13D (GOOD IN PARTS), and some good double definitions. I also like 10A (WELL-NIGH).
Posted in FT | 1 Comment »
Posted by Gaufrid on 25th August 2010
The theme today seems to be an attempt to get into the grid as many words and phrases that are derived from French as possible. I have identified those that I know but I may have missed some so any additions would be welcome.
Posted in FT | 7 Comments »
Posted by Agentzero on 24th August 2010
Nothing difficult here, but I admire how Armonie makes it all seem so effortless. As usual, the clues have excellent surfaces that read naturally. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 2 Comments »
Posted by shuchi on 20th August 2010
The top-left of the grid held me up with an unfamiliar synonym of ‘river’ and some tricky wordplay. 9A is still waiting to be annotated.
Posted in FT | 8 Comments »
Posted by smiffy on 19th August 2010
Only one potential slice of esotericum (at 28A, one of those “you either know it or you don’t” answers) as far as I could discern. Overall, this one didn’t really float my boat – but perhaps that’s more a case of my own Plimsoll line having become a tad decalibrated.
Posted in FT | 4 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 19th August 2010
Monday Prize Crossword on 9 August 2010
Another gentle start to the week.
Posted in FT | No Comments »
Posted by Pete Maclean on 19th August 2010
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 7
Being on holiday in the Austrian Alps, I took this puzzle at a leisurely pace and it took me some time — there was even a moment when I wondered if I would complete it but, as always, I did. And it ended up being a satisfying one with some nicely tricky clues such as 12A (SENTENCE), 12D (SPINNER) and 20D (APPENDIX).
Posted in FT | 5 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 18th August 2010
It may just be me, but Mudd seemed to be lacking some of his usual humour today. There were attempts at it, such as the definition in 8dn (though the overall surface didn’t make much sense), but none of the clues stood out particularly. 13ac did raise a wry smile but 28ac appeared to me to be faulty.
Posted in FT | 7 Comments »
Posted by Agentzero on 17th August 2010
Apologies for the late blog; a little short on time today. Not a lot to comment on; I have a weakness for reverse anagrams, so I liked 18 across. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 1 Comment »
Posted by shuchi on 13th August 2010
3-4 clues into this crossword and I had a strong sense of déjà vu. A quick search told me why. This is a repeat of FT 13391 published on May 21st, 2010.
Posted in FT | 2 Comments »
Posted by smiffy on 12th August 2010
To avoid being too sycophantic, I’ll simply list a smattering of the clues that I relished for one reason or another; 1A, 16A, 19A, 27A, 7D, 8D, 22D. If you’re not a regular FT solver and are looking for some time well-spent, then I’d recommend taking this one out for a spin.
Posted in FT | 12 Comments »
Posted by Uncle Yap on 12th August 2010
Monday Prize Crossword on 2 August 2010
We are back to the slick smoothie to give us a gentle start to the FT week. As usual, there is this generous serving of concise clues with very few words wasted.
Posted in FT | 2 Comments »
Posted by Pete Maclean on 12th August 2010
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of July 31
This strikes me as a mediocre Cincinnus puzzle (although with Cincinnus, mediocre is still jolly fine). My faves are 13A (MAT), 2D (BRIGHTON), 6D (ELMO) and 17D (HOMESPUN).
Posted in FT | 11 Comments »
Posted by Gaufrid on 11th August 2010
A very quick solve for me today and there should have been nothing in this puzzle to cause anyone problems, apart from perhaps part of the wordplay in 1ac and the answer in 21dn (though the simple wordplay for the latter should have offset any lack of prior knowledge of this particular Roman dictator).
Posted in FT | 7 Comments »
Posted by Agentzero on 10th August 2010
This was a very quick solve, but the usual smooth concise clues from Armonie. I thought 11 down and 20 down were particularly good. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in FT | 6 Comments »
Posted by shuchi on 6th August 2010
A mix of simple and tricky clues, with uniformly clean surfaces. Specially enjoyed the devious definition in 19A.
Posted in FT | 3 Comments »