FT

Please excuse the drive-by blog, which I’ll aim to flesh out in a couple of hours.  (I can sympathise with the clue at 8D today.)  Not  much to explain, although I suspect that … Read more >>

It has been some time since I have had quite as many quibbles about clues in an FT crossword. These made the solving process, for me at least, somewhat protracted and, in places, difficult. … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 2 March 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 February 28 A typically fine Cincinnus puzzle is what we have here. Across 1. HOT PANTS – anagram of TOP in HANTS (where Jane Austen was … Read more >>

A most enjoyable puzzle with, as is usual for Monk, some excellent surfaces. Unfortunately I am unable, as yet, to explain the wordplay in 14d. Edit: now explained by Nmsindy, see below. . . Across … Read more >>

I was afraid that for my first blog I would draw a puzzle that left me stumped. No worries: this was a very straightforward offering from Dante. There were a couple of pleasing clues, … Read more >>

I seemed to solve this one in fits and starts; with groups of answers coming in short order, but punctuated by several lulls of a minute or two.  A smattering of nifty &lit … Read more >>

A gentle mental workout today with nothing too difficult though the proverb at 14,18 is probably not one of the most well-known. 29a was nicely misleading and had me trying to think of … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 23 February 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 February 21 I had trouble finishing the bottom-right corner of this puzzle and have a quibble about one of the clues there. Across 1. SCRAPE BY … Read more >>

An enjoyable, though I thought somewhat easier than usual (the non-thematic clues at least), Cinephile today in which we were told ‘the monarch is the same throughout’. The first thematic entry I got … Read more >>

A new blogger is required for the Tuesday FT otherwise this puzzle will not be covered as from a couple of weeks time. If you are interested in contributing a blog each week … Read more >>

A relatively gentle end to the working week. Nothing obscure apart from, possibly, the Spanish poet and dramatist at 24a and the Italian frothy custard at 14d. There was a strong temptation to … Read more >>

I always enjoy one of the Don’s crosswords and this was no exception. Some clever clues and I particularly liked 28a even though it went in on the first pass. 19a, 22a, 5d, … Read more >>

Monday Prize Crossword on 16 February 2009 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = anagram … Read more >>