FT

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 28 I enjoyed this puzzle from Mudd. I especially liked 25A, 28A and 2D. Across 1. BRIGHT – double definition 4. DETACHED – TED backwards … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 30 November 2009 dd = double definition tichy = tongue-in-cheek type cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden … Read more >>

I did not expect to see Aardvark again quite so soon and particularly on a Wednesday. Nothing too tricky today and nothing to quibble about with all clues being fair, if a little … Read more >>

Some nicely tricky clues today.  I am still unsure about the solution for 10 across, though. Across 1 FENCES dd 5 SIGNPOST SIGN (write name) POST (letters) 9 PERSONAL hidden in paPERS ON … Read more >>

An easy, rather predictable one with many double definitions. The clue surfaces are good but a few clues like 19a, 25a don’t seem entirely satisfactory. Across 1 DEFECT dd 4 THICKSET THICK (stupid) … Read more >>

Far from a desperately strenuous challenge overall, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that there were plenty of well-rounded clues in their own right.  It’s always something of a nebulous thing, but … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 23 November 2009 dd = double definition dud = duplicate definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 21 Another splendid puzzle from Cincinnus this time. I especially like 16A, 20A and, most of all, 21A. Across 1, 4. WILLOW GROUSE – WILL … Read more >>

Not the friendliest of grids with the NW and SE corners only connected to the rest of the puzzle by one clue each. Add to this some misleading (not in a bad way) … Read more >>

A typical collection of lapidary clues from Armonie.  I am always impressed by his concision and the natural surface readings. Across 1 EVENING OUT EVEN (all the more) IN (concerned with) GOUT (foot … Read more >>

A very good puzzle, a shade easier than Viking’s usual. I would’ve preferred fewer word truncations in the wordplay, but that’s a minor nitpick in an otherwise solid effort. Across 1 SHEEPISH SHE … Read more >>

I found this something of a Jekyll and Hyde puzzle.  Plenty of easy, familiar fare but interspered with a smattering of much trickier obscurities. I benefited from a couple of pieces of lucky … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 16 November 2009 dd = double definition dud = duplicate definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of November 14 I can’t say I found this an easy puzzle but I did get it completed fairly quickly. Only clue clue, 13A, strikes me as … Read more >>

A themed puzzle revolving around Washington and Berlin. Tricky in places, partly due to the significant number of cryptic definitions. I am not completely sure that I have interpreted 22d correctly so any … Read more >>