FT

I thought 16 ac and 6 dn were the best of the cryptic definitions that are characteristic of Rufus/Dante.  Some very good, natural surfaces as well, e.g., 27 ac and 22 dn.  Across 1 ALBERT … Read more >>

Apologies for the delay in posting. I couldn’t finish the puzzle in my lunch hour as I normally do. I found this extremely challenging. Words beyond my vocabulary (SKIDDOO, EDENTATE, to name two), … Read more >>

Apologies for yet another late Thursday blog. I found this something of a Punk 19a (mixed bag), a couple of good &lits (particularly 20d), some decent surfaces (eg 23a & 25a) but also … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 2 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 October 31 The copy I downloaded from the FT’s Web site claims this is a Cincinnus puzzle. Did the print version say that too? (Most weeks … Read more >>

A relatively straightforward puzzle by Cinephile standards with a legal theme in a number clues. I rather liked ‘cave’ in 19d being indicated by ‘old people’s home’ and one or two other clues … Read more >>

Some pleasantly tricky clues from Neo today. Across 1 PLASTIC SURGEON *(SUSPECTING ORAL) 10 HOGAN HOG (pig) AN (one).  The reference, of course, is to Hogan’s Heroes.  I can still hear the theme … Read more >>

Hamilton’s second puzzle in FT, I believe. More adventurous in wordplay than the debut puzzle a few weeks ago. I had a good time solving it. One or two words (18a,14d) that needed … Read more >>

What’s happened to smiffy?! This setter appears to be a new addition to the FT stable so it is a pity that a few errors crept into the puzzle along the way as … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of October 24 Don’t you love 4D? How about 21 and 24D? Thank you, Cincinnus. Across 1. DABCHICK – BAD backwards + CHICK (young one) 5. WALLOP … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 26 October 2009 dd = double definition dud = duplicate definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden … Read more >>

It’s been six months to the day since we last saw Io and that is too long. I blogged his last puzzle and my opening comment was “Well, this one was different!” and … Read more >>

Apologies for the lateness of this one–I wrote out the answers thinking I would have time later in the day to fill in the explanations, and in the event I wasn’t able to … Read more >>

A mixed bag. Some easy clues, some not. Some fine clues, a few I have quibbles with or questions about. The NE corner was slow to fall, although after finishing the puzzle I … Read more >>

This one was something of a ripper (see 19D) in terms of trickiness for me.  Probably one of my slowest solves this year.  I found the NE-corner particularly tough to gain a toe-hold … Read more >>