Agentzero

An American and a New Yorker, I learned to solve cryptic crosswords by working my way through Emily Cox's and Henry Rathvon's monthly puzzles in the Atlantic. Good cryptics are scarce in America, so eventually a growing appetite drove me to attempt the puzzles in the British broadsheets. I initially found them bewildering, but persistence, recourse to the learned bloggers and commenters on this website, and a stint working in London (which taught me such useful things as the meaning of "leg before wicket") helped immensely. Nonetheless, I am still invariably thrown by homophones that depend on the non-pronunciation of the letter "r". I am a regular solver of the daily and Saturday FT and Guardian puzzles, but completing an Azed puzzle is still very much in the realm of aspiration for me.

Financial Times 13,152 / Armonie

by

There must be an issue with the FT website: they have not posted any puzzles since Friday. Fortunately, the FT is the paper I read on the train this morning, so the blog … Read more >>

Categories FT

Financial Times 13,146 / Jason

by

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 >>

Financial Times 13,140 / Neo

by

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 >>

Categories FT

Financial Times 13,134 / Armonie

by

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 >>

Categories FT

Financial Times 13,128 / Gozo

by

This appropriately French-themed puzzle was a pleasure to solve.  Fortunately my rudimentary French was enough to get me through! Also, kudos to the FT for publishing the puzzle on their website as a … Read more >>

Financial Times 13,122 / Phssthpok

by

Pretty straightforward, although 25 across still puzzles me.  Across 1 UNRECOGNISABLE *(LOG CABIN ENSURE) 10 HAWKS dd 11 COVER SLIP From COVERS LIP (what a moustache does).  A cover slip is the bit … Read more >>

Financial Times 13,104 / Jason

by

Some odd surfaces, some odd anagram indicators, and other quibbles.  I’m afraid I wasn’t a fan of this one.  Thanks to Gaufrid for clearing up 10ac and 3dn for me. Across 8 GARLIC GAR … Read more >>

Financial Times 13,094 / Bradman

by

This was an enjoyable challenge from The Don, with many very nice clues, including more “&lit” clues than I have seen in a while. However, a grid with this many long lights tends … Read more >>

Categories FT

Financial Times 13,092 /Dante

by

Rufus’s alter ego sets a puzzle to his usual standard:  enjoyable, if not difficult, with clean concise clues and plenty of amusing cryptic definitions. Across 1 FEATHERS *(HERE FAST) 5 SCALED dd 9 … Read more >>

Financial Times 13,080 / Jason

by

A few of these clues are underwhelming, unless they possess some cleverness that I have missed.  Many of the surfaces are also awkward or don’t make a lot of sense.  Or maybe I’m … Read more >>

Financial Times 13,074 / Armonie

by

What a pleasant, if not difficult, solve.  No complaints here!  Across 1 STIMULATION T (time) in SIMULATION (replicated environment)  7 CUP C (about) UP (finished) 9 SCOFF SC (special constable) OFF (turned, in the … Read more >>

Financial Times 13,068 / Crux

by

Some good clues, but also a few that I had questions about. Across 1 TOTAL RECALL cd (or maybe I should call it an overlapping d&cd: “perfect memory” and “memory for sums?”)   7 ALE Simple … Read more >>