FT

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 >>

Plenty to chew on here – not managed to explain all …         Across 1 SEAFARER one attracted by waves – sounds like SEE FAIRER spot finer 6 MENACE peril … Read more >>

Ringo is away enjoying a holiday (at least I hope he is enjoying it) so I’m afraid you will have to put up with me today. A straightforward puzzle with nothing contentious though … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword/Aug 26 Look at that – a Dante crossword with only one cryptic definition! That clue, at 23ac and my last one in, was situated in the SW of the grid … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of August 24, 2013 I found this puzzle a doddle except for some bits of the top-left quadrant. Clues 2, 3 and 9 all took me a … Read more >>

I don’t think I have blogged Wanderer before.  I thought this was a super puzzle with too many good clues to pick a clear favourite.  Thank you Wanderer. My only complaint (niggle really) … Read more >>

An enjoyable challenge         Across 1 STEADIED made stable (I SEDATED)* 6 SCREAM funny man S (old shilling) CREAM (very best) 9 DIRECT order (CREDIT)* 10 FANCY MAN lover FANCY … Read more >>

Straightforward puzzle today         Across 1 AFTERWARDS following [cr]E[ek] in (RAFT)* WARDS (found in hospital) 7 SOHO London area SO (very) HOT (violent) minus last letter 9 FREE without payment … Read more >>

I found this a little bit trickier than the usual FT Thursday offering, but it was clever, original and in the end very enjoyable. For a while I thouht there might be something … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword/Aug 19 Once more an Armonie puzzle in his eminently recognisable style. Mostly very easy, using mainly ‘standard’ devices (no CDs though) – no sneakiness but throughout elegantly clued. Armonie’s alter ego … Read more >>