This was a puzzle in 3 parts. The 1st part was solving the clues that seemed ready for parsing. The 2nd was correcting for the wrong numbering in the second half of both the across and down clues. This had to be done after removing 2 black squares which shouldn’t have been, along 2dn and 7dn. The 3rd part was trying to put 1 and 2 together. Barring these minor inconveniences, I really had a fun time attacking this grid, so thanks to Redshank (yet again!) for making this a meaty challenge.
FT
Financial Times no.14,718 by Artexlen
A smart, moderately challenging puzzle, this. Good fun.
Financial Times 14,709 – Falcon
Monday Prize Crossword/Aug 25 Solving the Observer’s Everyman is my favourite way to start the day on a Sunday morning, so no complaints from the Dutch jury to assess another sound puzzle by the setter’s alter ego Falcon. … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,708 by Mudd
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 23, 2014 Another fine Mudd puzzle — thank you Mr. Halpern. My favourite clues in it are 13a (ANTIFREEZE), 3d (LOGO) and 19d (LACROSSE). All … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,717 by MONK
Yet another varied and enjoyable crossword from Monk. This was a reasonaly accessiible puzzle by Monk standards (ie merely hard).
Financial Times 14,716 / Dante
Well, I hardly expected to see Dante on a Tuesday and wondered if I had got my days mixed up. However, it couldn’t be Monday because it wasn’t a prize puzzle. A very … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,713 by PETO
What an interesting challenge from a setter I havent had the pleasure of blogging before! Thanks Peto for a terrific and refreshing challenge. Some of the parsings took longer than the time it took to solve the clue based on cross-refs. I was left, at my wit’s end on 26 ac which I couldnt quite figure out.
Financial Times no.14,712 by Gurney
I ran through this a bit hastily, but I don’t feel too bad about that as it didn’t feel like the setter had gone to any great trouble either. Sound but workaday.
Financial Times 14,703 – Dante
Monday Prize Crossword/Aug 18 Familiar territory for a Monday. While Dante kept the number of cryptic definitions to a minimum, our beloved setter did his best to conceal a couple of definitions in such a … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,702 by Cincinnus
Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 16, 2014 A Cincinnus puzzle is a rarer treat than it used to be, and a very welcome one. My favourite clues here are 1a … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,711 by AARDVARK
Great stuff from Aardvark today, interesting all the way though. Thank you Aardvark.
Financial Times 14,710 by ARMONIE
Smooth sailing today.
Financial Times 14,707 by BRADMAN
An excellent challenge from Bradman this Friday with just the right mix of mind-benders and quick wins. I did have to re-calibrate my estimate on the finishing time during the course of the solve. This was largely due to the fact that the 5 anagrams in the crossword got me going quickly and after that progress became a lot slower=. I still needed help with parsing 24ac and 3d. My pick of the lot was 10ac.
Overall, a delectable treat from a trusted setter.
FF: 8, DD: 7
Financial Times 14,706 / Orense
The first appearance by Orense for three months gives us a straightforward puzzle with nothing contentious or particularly difficult. My first pass through the clues left only a handful of empty lights to … Read more >>
Financial Times 14,697 – Crux
Monday Prize Crossword/Aug 11 The usual not too spicy quality fare from Crux but, imho, once more let down by some weak cryptic definitions. So both ‘thanks’ and ‘sorry’ to the setter. Definitions are underlined … Read more >>