FT

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of September 14, 2013 I found this puzzle challenging and took some time over certain clues, especially 10A and 31A. My favourite is 30A (HELIPORT). I also … Read more >>

Very enjoyable puzzle with clues ranging from the very simple to the very difficult.  There is one solution I still can’t explain. This puzzle is in memory of Andy Williams the easy-listening singer who … Read more >>

Not as easy as I first thought – a couple of synonyms took a bit longer to justify.  Thanks to Jason.  Definitions are underlined in the clues. [[The pictures at the bottom have unidentified … Read more >>

Highly recommended         Across 1 START-UP establishing new business STAR (celeb) PUT< (set about) 5 GRENADE weapon (DANGER)* E[xplode] 9 RACER fast car ACE (great performer) in RR (posh car) … Read more >>

I can’t remember the last time a Thursday FT gave me so much trouble. I had a tremendous tussle with this excellent offering from Alberich, with the NW corner in particular putting up … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword/Sep 9 Another fairly typical (and enjoyable) crossword from the Shropshire Lad  – did I say Lad? 🙂  One can find it here. Definitions are underlined wherever possible and/or appropriate.   … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of September 7, 2013 I found this trickier than the typical Cincinnus puzzle with its somewhat obscure words (MATCHLOCKS and CURASSOW for example). My top clues are … Read more >>

Very entertaining and a good level of difficulty, neither too easy nor too hard, just right. There are lots of numbers in the clues and a nice mix, some were references to other clues … Read more >>

Good variety of devices         Across 9 RATEPAYER  RATE (grade) PLAYER (musician) minus L (beginner) 10 CHESS (might end with mate) hidden in[narcoti]C HE’S S[ynthesized] 11 GROUNDS dd 12 PATTERN … Read more >>

International theme today         Across 1 SHAMIR Yizhak (HIS ARM)* 5 GALTIERI Leopoldo GAL (girl) TIER (row) I (one) 9 COOLIDGE Calvin DG (Director General) in COOLIE (emigrant worker) 10 … Read more >>

I always enjoy Redshank’s puzzles, but I have to say that for me this wasn’t one of his very finest: I wasn’t fond of the recurring ‘augmented anagram’ mechanism (do we have a … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword/Sep 2 Pleasant start of the FT week, this Crux crossword. Definitions are underlined wherever possible and/or appropriate. Across 1 GUNSMITH              The Colt’s legend as told by its creator? (8)   … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 31, 2013 I praised the last Cinephile in this space for being exceptionally good (despite a couple of flaws). This one I find to be … Read more >>

Another very nice puzzle from Aardvark.  I have blogged a few Aardvark puzzles now and he is becoming one of my favourite FT setters.  Thank you Aardvark. Across 1 TROLLOPE Work list transposed in margins … Read more >>

I’m standing in as an FT locum for the first time, and I seem to have coincided with the debut of a new setter. Whether Magwitch is an ex-convict from whom I can … Read more >>