FT

A themed puzzle again this week. Thank you Gozo. I enjoyed this but found it surprisingly tricky despite being familiar with the themed entries. ACROSS 1 CARMEN Operatic MOT mechanics (6) cryptic definition … Read more >>

Thanks to Peto. Definitions are underlined in the clues. Across 1. Able to go through without a hint of resistance (6) CLEVER : “cleave”(to go through/to make a way through something, as if … Read more >>

Plenty to enjoy in this morning’s puzzle from Moo. A straightforward, neatly clued puzzle with a good mix of clue types. Favourites of mine include 11a, 6d, 8d and 14d. Thank you Moo! … Read more >>

A tricky treat from WANDERER this Friday. Thanks WANDERER for a delectable challenge. FF: 9 DD: 9 ACROSS 1 MOCK HEROIC Make fun of rich Old Etonian leader, waving in burlesque style (4-6) … Read more >>

A fine puzzle this morning from Redshank. There was a lot to like in this morning’s crossword, especially 11dn and 19ac, which I hope I have explained properly in the blog below. I … Read more >>

Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 31, 2020 As usual with Bradman, this puzzle gave me some challenges and prompted several look-ups.  There are at least two answers that I did … Read more >>

Great puzzle as always from Monk. Thank you. I can see MYSTERES DES VOIX down the sides of the grid. This reminds me of the fabulous Msyteres des Voix Bulgares albums of Bulgarian … Read more >>

Not-entirely-straightforward Tuesday offering from this morning's setter. The majority went in smoothly enough, but the endgame involved mopping up a number of tricksy 4-letter words which I have to admit provoked a few … Read more >>

The first FLIMSY I’ve blogged, I think, makes for a gentle start to the week… A pretty straightforward solve this. Don’t really have much to add! 15d was rather neat. Thanks FLIMSY! ACROSS … Read more >>

A fun puzzle from VELIA which was a pleasure to tackle , barring a couple of glitches in the clues. While I haven’t checked diligently, I do believe there is a pangram on … Read more >>

Today's FT compiler is Neo. This was mostly straightforward, but the SE corner held me up for a bit until I at last saw APENNINES and the rest came fairly quickly thereafter. Among … Read more >>

Non-prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 24, 2020 This puzzle is highly unusual in that I strongly suspect that there are two typographical errors in it.  The suspect clues are 10ac … Read more >>

A super puzzle. Traditional in style without feeling old-fashioned. Thank you Basilisk. ACROSS 1 PHARMACY Drug supplier’s quick to limit damage (8)   PACY (quick) contains (to limit) HARM (damage) 5 ESCAPE Flight … Read more >>

My first tussle with this setter, and a quite a tussle it was. I was shamefully slow out of the traps this morning, eventually completing the SE corner with hardly anything else showing. … Read more >>

Great start to the week from Moo. A very enjoyable solve. A few write ins, but mostly a neatly and cleverly clued puzzle. Required a bit of general knowledge to complete, but all … Read more >>