FT

The scheduled blogger hasn’t been able to be with us today, for one reason or another, so here is an analysis of the clues, with no further commentary from me. Across 1 A … Read more >>

Thank you Basilisk. Some nice surfaces here. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Great role identified by diminutive actor? (6) HAMLET : HAM(an overacting actor) – LET(a suffix signifying a small/diminutive … Read more >>

Hamilton’s distinctive style is often commented on as being a bit cavalier with “the rules”. Despite the odd questionable surface, I very much enjoyed this puzzle. There were a few write-ins but that’s … Read more >>

Happy New Year 2021 folks. My first blog for 2021 and a solid challenge from BRADMAN to get things going, thanks to whom for this intellectual treat. There may be some improvements possible … Read more >>

A very good crossword that, with a little editing, could have made even better This crossword from Redshank had some brilliant clues in it – I particularly liked 14ac, 25 ac, 27ac and … Read more >>

Non-prize Christmas Crossword published in the FT of December 23, 2020 As usual for Christmas, we have a crossword from Gozo with added dimensions of puzzling.  Let us start with the completed grid … Read more >>

A very nice puzzle. Traditional in style but not not old-fashioned in delivery. Thank you Leonidas. ACROSS 1 PTERODACTYLS Early birds in tight lycra spotted (12) anagram (tight, drunk) of LYCRA SPOTTED – … Read more >>

A themed Tuesday offering. Straightforward enough midweek fare, enlivened by a veritable shoal of themed solutions all over the grid. More puns from posters welcome. Thanks to Orense. ACROSS 1 FLOUNDER Struggle helplessly … Read more >>

Back to work this week, with a gentle SLORMGORM to start things off… Happy new year everyone! Once more round the Sun for 4d’s pale blue dot. Nice mix of clues with some … Read more >>

Wanderer makes a rare Thursday appearance. This was a typically challenging Wanderer puzzle, which may have a theme, but I can't see it. There were some very interesting devices used her that are … Read more >>

Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 19, 2020 This puzzle was a very unusual one for me in that there was one clue that I was completely unable to explain, 3dn … Read more >>

A nice straightforward puzzle. Thank you Neo. ACROSS 9 BRASSIERE Club about to give female support (9) BRASSIE (a golf club) and RE (about, regarding) 10 TASER Stunner posed again facing backwards (5) … Read more >>

A treat for my last blog of this always interesting year. The sneaky snake strikes again. Tough stuff – you'd expect no less from this setter – but great fun, with interlocking literary … Read more >>

I think I may need to go back to bed and have a lie down! My brain hurts! This was tough – very tough. I think I have all the right answers in … Read more >>

Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of December 12, 2020 We are starting to see a lot of Artexlen in this space.  My favourites in this puzzle are 10ac (UNTENABLE), 15ac (GALLANT), 22ac … Read more >>