FT

A straightforward, accessible puzzle, I think, thanks to Gurney.  Definitions are underlined in the clues.  Picture set at the bottom has an unidentified link with the crossword. Across 1 Calm and able to move … Read more >>

I shall be most interested to see what others make of this puzzle     ACROSS 1 BACKGAMMON BACK approve GAMMON nonsense 7 SCAB scoundrel  C caught in SA + B bishop 9 … Read more >>

It’s a bright, springlike morning, and this – for me, anyway – was a bright, springlike puzzle, dispensed with before the coffee was cold but no less enjoyable for that. The art and … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword/Feb 6 In my previous blog (on Mudd’s Prize Crossword) I gave my opinion on the use of ‘double definitions’ (not my favourite device, indeed) and see, here is Dante  to … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of February 4, 2012 I found this puzzle fairly easy and enjoyed several rather good clues. My favourites are 12A (PRISON SHIP), 14A (SONGBOOK), 21A (BEAR WITH … Read more >>

I finished this quickly, though at the time if felt quite difficult – ‘easy but hard’ would be my summary.  A very enjoyable solve, thank you Cinephile. The RS of the preamble stands for RED … Read more >>

Tuesday is the start of the week for FT crosswords, and hence usually a warm-up exercise for later in the week.  Thanks Armonie, for this one – some nice surfaces.  Definitions are underlined … Read more >>

An intelligent and varied offering from the Don. Struggled to find the cryptic nature of 16down unless it’s tongue-in-cheek?       ACROSS 1 SALMAGUNDY anagram of SLUDGY A MAN a 17th century … Read more >>

I don’t think I’ve encountered many Aardvarks before in my Thursday slot; in any event, there was nothing here to drive me to echo Edmund Blackadder’s furious  exclamation: “If I ever meet an … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword/Jan 30 It is not very often that Mudd appears on a Monday, but there he was.  There were several nice clues with matching surfaces (1ac, 15ac, 26ac and 1d, to … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 28, 2012 Here is another impeccable and highly enjoyable puzzle from Cincinnus. My top-ratings go to 25A (FLEECE), 28A (ATHERTON), 7D (STOMA), 16D (KILLER BEE) … Read more >>

I always enjoy getting a Gozo crossword to blog, and this week was no exception. Gozo grids are always themed – this time all the definitions are geographical locations.  I think this is … Read more >>

Phssthpok travels a lot in this puzzle, with references and words from abroad (including Scotland? 🙂 ).  Very nice clueing, with the added bonus of words whose etymology I enjoyed tracking down.  So thank … Read more >>

Found this quite a knotty puzzle that really took some unravelling and a couple still not fully explained …. 9d,15d and 19d causing the most grief.     ACROSS 1 CURTAINS anagram of … Read more >>

A very enjoyable puzzle, this one, I thought. Plenty of variation, one or two devilish (possibly too devilish) devices, and I even learnt a new word. Thank-you, Alberich. ACROSS 1. TEMPLE  MP [Member of Parliament, … Read more >>