FT

Nothing too difficult here, except that the explanation for 21 down eludes me.  As usual, Armonie’s clues pack an amazing amount into very few words. Across 1 NOONTIDE *(TO DINE ON) 5 CROOKS … Read more >>

This was a pretty gentle, pleasant offering from Viking with plenty of starter clues (17A, 23A, etc.) to give you a foothold in the puzzle. The vocabulary was on the easy side too … Read more >>

One of those puzzles where I found the longer answers came very readily, which provided a solid skeleton from which to flesh out the rest without too much anguish.  Didn’t (or still don’t) … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 5 July 2010 Another Monday, another gentle way to start the FT week with Dante, maestro of the slick and the smooth ACROSS 1 BRAZIL BRA (supporter) ZIL (rev … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of July 3 Oh, I do so like dodos playing an old record (14A), some fine sashimi (15D) and the simple but elegant ally who keeps his … Read more >>

I’m not sure what to say about this one. Whilst solving I felt that a number of clues had a rather loose definition, indicator or association in the wordplay but on reflection, whilst writing … Read more >>

I heard a short while ago that Agentzero has unavoidable business commitments today and so will be unable to blog. A pity because he missed an excellent puzzle. This was a themed puzzle … Read more >>

GK buffs will feel right at home with this puzzle which touches a range of domains like literature and biology and geography. The wordplay is accessible, so with help from good old Wikipedia, … Read more >>

I found this to be a real variety show of both easy and elusive answers, with some intermittent channelling of Sid James or Frankie Howerd to keep us amused (“titter ye not”). Across … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 28 June 2010 Quite a gentle stroll through the park on a Monday morning. ACROSS 1 APPLAUD Cha of APPL (apple minus e or endless fruit) AU (chemical symbol … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 26 I found this a slightly difficult Mudd with a couple of sterling anagrams: 1A (SIGMUND FREUD) and 5D (FATBOY SLIM). I also like 10A … Read more >>

I initially thought that many of the clues were on the easy side for a Cinephile but then found that there was a very obscure reference in 26,27 which I wouldn’t have known without the … Read more >>

I thought this was an excellent puzzle, with a lot of inventive wordplay. Across 1 PLUMBAGO P (power) LUMBAGO (backache) 6 MERLIN R[ight], L[eft] (both sides) + I (one) in MEN (people) 9 … Read more >>

An enjoyable puzzle with many nice clues (14D, 17D, for example), but I missed something outstanding (like a memorable &lit) as there usually is in Bradman’s puzzles. Across 1 CROSBY CROS[s] (sorry, reduced) … Read more >>

If it waddles like a Falcon and quacks like a Falcon then it’s probably a Falcon.  An engaging solve, while it lasted, but ultimately a short-lived skirmish. Across 1 BRASS BAND – brass … Read more >>