Comments on: Financial Times 14,190 by Neo

By: Neo

Neo — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:36:30 +0000

Many thanks folks, and cheers to PeeDee for a great blog.

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:42:32 +0000

jmac, my qualification ‘lightweight’ had to do with how I experienced this puzzle. It doesn’t equal ‘too easy’ or the like.
But, I admit, I found this crossword easier than the average Neo. I found it ‘lightweight’ on the Mr B scale.

That said, in general I appreciate his style very much, so I have no complaints whatsoever. Remember that in the last line of my comment the word ‘excellent’ was not placed inside brackets!

By: jmac

jmac — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:31:52 +0000

I don’t think this was at all lightweight. It was a most stimulating puzzle. Sometimes Neo makes the clue construction reasonably obvious but here I felt there was a rounding off of the edges, a higher degree of ambiguity, and for this this I applaud him. Thanks Neo and PeeDee for the blog.

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:22:09 +0000

Did this puzzle tonight after tackling the Guardian’s Bonxie with my inseparable PinC.
And while (in a way) still gushing about that crossword, I liked this one very much.
In fact, I always like the puzzles by Neo (aka Tees, aka Paul B).
He might be critical about others, he is really true to his own principles! [So no L for 'Labour leader' today ]

Of course, AJAX was my first entry (though I am not really a fan of this club).
But the real gems were, IMO, 15ac (‘fox hole’!), 22ac (which I didn’t get without external help), 12ac (containing two anagram indicators!) and 21d (very nice idea).
And why didn’t I spot AMADEUS (18d) rightaway? A sign that it was probably a very good clue.

Thanks PeeDee for the blog of an excellent (lightweight) puzzle.

By: Rowland

Rowland — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 13:45:34 +0000

First one of the day for me, as you say it’s all there, but the indication is very subtle! I mean I was totally foxed by the desighn house one, just couldn’t see it. 21 fave among many good uns.

UNDER = adverb? Down by £5, under by £5 maybe.

Cheers PeeDee
Rowly.