FT

Monday Prize Crossword on 21 June 2010 Another painless way to start the week, solving smooth clues and enjoying slick surfaces ACROSS 1 VIVACE V (Roman numeral for 5) IV (ditto for 4) … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 19 I found this puzzle considerably more challenging than most Cincinnuses although not quite as difficult as that really tough one he gave us a … Read more >>

The Wednesday puzzle is usually one towards the more difficult end of the FT spectrum but not today (at least for me). A sartorial theme for the across answers which are all items … Read more >>

One of my favourite FT setters, Armonie always has clues with clean, natural surface readings. Maybe a few too many old chestnuts (11 across, 16 across, 18 down have been seen more than … Read more >>

A very enjoyable puzzle liberally sprinkled with anagrams and cryptic definitions.  The clue surfaces are uniformly well-crafted. Specially liked the neat anagram at 8D and the wordplay with ‘bill’ in 23A. Across 1 … Read more >>

The usual quotient of merry mischief, to keep us on our toes.  Plenty of contenders for ‘clue of the day’ status.  I have 15A and 27A still playing out an unresolved Isner vs … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 14 June 2010 Mr Smoothie is here again to tease us with his unique brand of slick surfaces. ACROSS 1 BEHIND Van is short for vanguard (in front); dd? … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 12 My first impression of this puzzle was that it was too easy. I tore through the clues, the only ones stumping me for more … Read more >>

To be met by one of Cinephile’s long anagrams as the first across clue did not bode well so I started with the downs instead which made life somewhat easier, though the puzzle … Read more >>

This is at least the third year running that “Courtier” has posted a puzzle with a timely theme.  Presumably it is one of the usual setters using a different pseudonym.  Any guesses?  I … Read more >>

A fine offering from Viking. The SE corner was tricky to unravel, the rest of the answers fell into place without hiccups though the wordplay took more time to work out. 1A, 13A … Read more >>

A well-balanced mix of tractability and trickiness . I came unstuck in the SW quadrant, due to an over-impulsive stab at 17D, but overall the answers manifested themselves  at a satisfyingly steady and … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 7 June 2010 A nice change from the easier Dante and Crux.  Mudd employs some devices which are unusual and therefore challenging for a Monday. Most entertaining as well … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of June 5 Cincinnus regales us with another selection of clues many of which are so simple they seem almost obvious but are really brilliant. My faves … Read more >>

No particular problems today apart from 27ac where I cannot make up my mind as to the correct interpretation of the clue. There are a couple of possibilities, or maybe even something else … Read more >>