FT

As indicated, Smiffy is tied up with work so I will offer my blog instead (I hope I haven’t trodden on his toes!) because some potential solvers may be wondering why the clues … Read more >>

ACROSS A rather dull and obvious puzzle I am afraid – the sort where you see the answers as the sheet is coming off the printer.  I have struggled to make anything interesting … Read more >>

I found this more challenging than the typical Cincinnus puzzle but just as enjoyable and satisfying. I failed to fathom the wordplay in one clue, 16A. I especially liked 9A, 10A, 2D and … Read more >>

From Monday Prize Puzzle on 1 September 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) = … Read more >>

This one doesn’t need my usual detailed analysis and so there are few comments (it’s not just laziness on my part 🙂  A good starter for those new to cryptic crosswords but hardly satisfying … Read more >>

I have been blogging here on FT crossword every Tuesday for the past six months. Usually, as my readers will know,  I have been completing or very nearly completing the day’s grid. But … Read more >>

After yesterday’s slog, a more enjoyable offering from Sleuth for my scheduled blog this week. One or two words or usages I had not come across before (boss, Jewry) but otherwise fairly straightforward. . … Read more >>

I wasn’t scheduled to blog today and so didn’t make any notes whilst solving. I am therefore relying on my somewhat deficient memory for the following. I found this harder than usual to … Read more >>

A typically clever and enjoyable puzzle from Mudd. I particularly like 13A, 20A and 10D. Across 1. FRAPPE – F (loud) + RAPPE[r] (musician not entirely). I wondered about the appropriateness of the … Read more >>

From FT Monday Prize Crossword on 25 August 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) … Read more >>

Another treat from the Reverend  – I see he is on duty at the Guardian today too in his other  persona. I thought at first that I was looking for numbers, having got … Read more >>

Late blog because of late uploading of puzzle. Some clues may have familiar wordplay but the puzzle on the whole is enjoyable. Across 1 BETRAY – bet, ray –  to ‘betray’ is not … Read more >>

At first glance rather daunting with so many literary allusions.  However, the word play was very simple in most cases, and kind Google came to my aid with details.  Alan seemed to be … Read more >>

A crossword from Monk is always a challenge and this was no exception. One or two clues did appear to be recycled, however this was offset by some fine, and sometimes misleading, cluing elsewhere. … Read more >>

From FT Saturday Prize Puzzle on 16 August 2008 dd = double definition cd = cryptic definition rev = reversed or reversal ins = insertion cha = charade ha = hidden answer *(fodder) … Read more >>