FT

Overall I didn’t think this was as difficult as some Dogberry puzzles. It seemed to be something of a mixture, some very easy clues, some more tricky ones, some good surfaces and some … Read more >>

A good one from Neo, with some creative dissections of words in the charades (e.g., 25 and 29 ac). Across 9 OVERHEARD *(HAVE ORDER) 10 PLANT dd 11 MERCURY CU (copper) in MERRY … Read more >>

After a series of easy Fridays, a tough one from Viking with some fine clues. The bottom-right corner was the last to fall, with 21a/21d causing much perplexity before the ‘aha’ moments came. … Read more >>

My first encounter with Hamilton, although our search archive suggests that he/she has appeared at least a couple of times before in previous months (perhaps Gaufrid can induct Hamilton into our setters’ Roll … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 1 February 2010 Interesting week-opener from Crux; simple yet varied. I learn a new word at 14 Across plus a new fact (aren’t we cruciverbalists all full of trivia?) … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 30 Another beauty from Cincinnus and one that I found easy. 2D should be a classic while 23A, 26A, 29A and 3D are also gems … Read more >>

Yesterday it was P (in the Guardian), today it is O for a word having the same meaning wherever it appears in the clues. After the party we have the opera (usually it … Read more >>

As usual, Armonie’s clues are impeccably written: clean and concise, with smooth surface readings. I found myself wishing, though, for a surprise or two. A few too many of these seemed to be … Read more >>

Plenty of anagrams made this an easy ride. I have questions at one or two places, indicated along with the answers to clues. Across 1 SPHERICAL (CAR IS HELP)* 6 OASIS O (ring) … Read more >>

Bradman seems to be cropping up quite regularly in the Thursday slot of late, which is fortunate for me from a blogworthiness standpoint.  14A features a potentially new clue type (the subjective &lit), … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 25 January 2010 Once again, Dante charms us with his smooth and slick surfaces for a gentle introduction to another FT week. Some of his cryptic definitions are priceless … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of January 23 Here’s a themed puzzle (lots of iron and irons) with a theme that there’s nothing to figure out about. And a theme that is … Read more >>

I’m sorry to say that I found this puzzle rather uninspiring, though that may just be me. Some of the surfaces seemed contrived, or made little sense, and the nature of the wordplay meant … Read more >>

One clue I can’t quite figure out (5 down); I’m sure someone will help. Across 1 RABBIT WARREN RABBIT (gas, as in to talk excessively) WAR (conflict) RE (on) N (new) 8 POLENTA … Read more >>

A very good puzzle, I thought. Smooth surfaces throughout, and nothing too obscure other than one look-up I needed for 11a. Picks for best clues: BLUEBOTTLE, WREN Across 1 BACKHANDER HAND (cards) in … Read more >>