FT

This was a sound crossword where the wordplay was clear and the definitions were fairly unambiguous.  There were very few surplus link words in the clues.       The only clue I … Read more >>

A quick solve for me today as the wordplay, or subsidiary indication as some prefer to call it, was quite clear in all the clues. I prefer something that presents a bit more … Read more >>

Some lovely – if at times maddeningly convoluted – clueing by Alberich here. Had terrible trouble with the left-hand side of the grid, but that’s down to the fuzziness of my brain today … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword/Nov 14 Crux is one of those setters whose crosswords I am always looking forward to. Many lovely touches and thoughtful cluing along the way. However, sometimes I seem to expect a … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 12 I found some challenging clues in this puzzle, especially 1D (WOMANISH), 3D (EDEN) and 8D (REEFER). My favourite is 26D (SAGA) and I also … Read more >>

A relatively straightforward puzzle from Cinephile, and nothing contentious that I can see.  Thank you Cinephile for an enjoyable puzzle. Hold mouse over clue number to see clue. Across 1 LEBANESE BANES (troubles) … Read more >>

One for newcomers to cryptic puzzles today, with nothing particularly difficult nor any rare or unusual answers. I have a minor query regarding part of the wordplay in 18dn but apart from that … Read more >>

I found a lot to admire in this puzzle and a few clues to struggle with. The bottom-right corner was hard to piece together with 20a and 20d eluding me till the very … Read more >>

Apologies for the late appearance of this post but I’ve been out and hadn’t noticed that the scheduled blogger had not turned up.  I’ve got to go out again so this has been … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword/Nov 7 Pleasant starter of the week, this Dante.  What struck me was that the clues were shorter than usual. Surfaces were great as ever ….. ….. while my Top 3 … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 5 Here’s another fine although uncharacteristic puzzle from Cincinnus. I especially like 1A (DICTION), 19A (MOPED), 5D (BATES), 7D (VAGUE) and 17D (APPLIANCE). And I … Read more >>

Good stuff from IO, with some clever and amusing clues. 18,19 was my clear favourite, one of the easier ones but it made me laugh, I thought 15dn was clever too. I can’t get to … Read more >>

As scchua hinted in his blog last week, he is off on a break, so I am blogging in his place during his holiday.  Next week, though, the blogger will be a stand-in … Read more >>

A gentle puzzle with Falcon’s elegant clues and references to a variety of knowledge domains. Smooth anagrams, natural surfaces, nothing too taxing. Across 1 EMBALM M (male) BA (graduate), in ELM (tree) 5 … Read more >>

Oops. Problems here. I’m not sure how it’s come out in the pink paper, but the PDF puzzle I’ve got from the FT website is all to cock: rogue white squares and clues … Read more >>