FT

Prize Puzzle from Monday January 31 This was not difficult at all, except that it required a bit deeper cultural knowledge than usual.  Andrew Motion is well known and frequently appears in crosswords; the … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 29 This puzzle strikes me as one of Mudd’s best. Taking pride of place is the brilliant semi-&lit that is 16D (HEATHROW). And I also … Read more >>

Another good crossword from Cinephile.   How he continues to turn crosswords out at the rate he does and still keeps them fresh and original never ceases to amaze me.  Clues 26 across and 5 down were my … Read more >>

There were a number of extremely good clues in this puzzle, but also a few that seemed imprecise to me.  The gems, I thought, were 13, 20 and 26 across. Across 1 KNUCKLE … Read more >>

 A very quick solve for me today because Bradman’s cluing was, as usual, flawless and generally straightforward. The only clue that might be considered as being less than straightforward was 5dn which required … Read more >>

I found this one a little chewy in sections and on several occasions found myself resorting to the toothpick after digesting a clue.  In fairness to Orense, there is a reasonable sprinkling of … Read more >>

Dante is back in his accustomed spot this week.  A somewhat heavy reliance on anagrams; I count nine (excluding clues where an anagram is only part of the wordplay).  The best of these, … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 22 Once again Cincinnus comes up with an impressive set of clues. How juicy is 19A (REDSTART)? How witty 13A (NON-USAGE)! How splendid 8A (CON … Read more >>

Easier than the last AARDVARK puzzle I blogged, but no less enjoyable.  My favourite was 29 across which made me smile, 13 across is good too.   Also, I got throught he whole thing without … Read more >>

A quick, clean Tuesday puzzle from Armonie.  No especial comments, except that I thought the anagram fodder was cleverly blended into the clue in 10 across.  Other favourites today were 27 across and … Read more >>

I had mixed feelings about this puzzle. Liked some clues such as 17a, 16d, found others a bit shaky. Across 1,5 PERSIAN CARPET (APPRENTICES A[lways] R[eady])*; “principal always ready” = A R? Hmmm … Read more >>

Another Thursday, another debut setter (or, at least, pseudonym).  My second new opponent in consecutive blogs – the FT editor must be broadening his church further still in 2011.  And it’s not too … Read more >>

The FT gave us a pleasant change from Dante this week.  Please don’t take that the wrong way — I am a fan of the cd master.  But some variety in this space … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 15 I had trouble finishing the lower-left quadrant of this puzzle and maintain a reservation about 17D (EGYPTIAN). My top clues here are 28A (BEGRUDGE) … Read more >>

Quite a tricky puzzle to finish, the bottom left corner had me stuck for quite a while.  Lots of nice clues with some nice & Lits.  I thought 27 across  was nicely crafted, and 14dn made … Read more >>