FT

A fine challenge from Sartori today with some good surfaces and some clues that I found nicely misleading on the first pass through. I have a minor quibble with 7d, and a couple … Read more >>

I’m afraid some unsatisfying surfaces and some other nits detracted from the enjoyment of this puzzle for me. Across 1 JACKET POTATO JACKET (cover) POT (pan) TO[p] (a lid, almost). 8 ENVELOP *(EVEN) … Read more >>

Usual great stuff from Bradman. In particular I liked PRONOUNCE, COLORADO, LOTUS-EATER. The left of the grid came together slower than the right. APOGEE was not so familiar, and the incomplete 13a in … Read more >>

Smiffy has been sidetracked by some unforeseen commitments so apologies for the lateness of this post. A straightforward solve today with all but about four answers being entered on the first pass through … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 20 July 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of July 18 Well I found this Cincinnus considerably harder than usual. How about you? Especially 1A, 20A and 16D. And I especially like 12A and 21D. … Read more >>

After last Wednesday’s romp, this week’s Cinephile, though easy in places, proved to be more of a challenge. One clue (24a) has defeated me completely so far and I have been unable to … Read more >>

An enjoyable puzzle, with some clever clues and tricky wordplay from Neo.  Sorry to be a 15 dn today; I didn’t have a chance to turn to the puzzle this morning. Across 1 … Read more >>

A characteristically challenging, well-crafted offering from Viking. Across 1 AMBLER [g]AMBLER (better). Ref. to Eric Ambler, English author of spy novels. 4 TWO PIECE CE (church), after (POW)< (internee) in TIE (restraint) 10 … Read more >>

Nothing pant-wettingly exciting here, but a nice vein of humour running through some of the clues, which raised a few smiles.  Please excuse the slightly late blog (again).  While the FT have certainly … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 13 July 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>

Prize puzzle from the Weekend FT of July 11 I enjoyed this puzzle from Cinephile. Had to look up a couple of words (CUMAE and PRETERITE). I particularly like 1A, 14A and 24-26A. … Read more >>

A surprisingly easy puzzle for a Wednesday, particularly considering it was set by Cinephile, with a theme involving British Prime Ministers from 1963 to date and a ‘hopeful’. Early solving of 4a quickly … Read more >>

A quick and easy puzzle today.  No complaints though; I thought the clues were generally clean and concise, with good surfaces. Across 1 DESPOT S (head of security) in DEPOT (store) 5 TACKLING … Read more >>

Alberich is such a delight to solve. Many great clues here, my favourites were USURY, UNHINGE, INANE. Almost no specialist knowledge needed in this puzzle, the difficulty comes from clever wordplay. I found … Read more >>