My eyes lit up with glee when I saw who my setter was today. By the time I got through the crossword, the smile was wiped clean off. Amidst the battering and bruising, I still managed to enjoy several clues. Outclassed by Alberich today. A typical tale of an extraordinary setter meeting an ordinary solver. 🙂 Thanks to Gaufrid for the assistance where needed.
Turbolegs
Financial Times 14,910 by GURNEY
An easy stroll this Tuesday from Gurney. Plenty of anagrams all over the place meant a quick solve despite which the experience was quite pleasant and appealing. Apologies for the late post as I had (and am having) a long day at work. I hope readers here have more discerning comments than I do, given my paucity of time.
Financial Times 14,907 by MUDD
Traveling on work and a full day meant I got to this Mudd challenge a lot later than I would have liked to – so apologies for the late post. I found this to be a tough challenge to begin with but gradually picked up steam along the way. Outclassed on a few clues that required googling to confirm or supplement the parsings. Some deviousness exhibited by Mudd – enough to leave me seeking a helping hand on the deconstruction for a couple as well.
Financial Times 14,901 by MAGWITCH
A gentle saunter of a grid today from Magwitch. Simple, inambiguous cluing for most part, ruffled ever so slightly by 8dn. Thanks to Magwitch for this Friday treat.
Financial Times No.14890 by Chalmie
The usual software tool I use to blog is down today so please bear with me on this one. Also apologies for the late post, as I was traveling and solved this in-flight. Not sure how this will turn out in the blog so do ignore any formatting issues too.
Maybe I get excited too easily but I absolutely enjoyed this delightful Chalmie teaser from start to finish, with hardly any clue that didnt make me go “Awesome!!”.
Financial Times 14,884 by WANDERER
Wanderer returns this Friday. He returns to try and expose my facade as a solver/blogger. He nearly succeeded.
Financial Times 14,878 by MUDD
A pleasant challenge from MUDD that provided a fine blend of write-ins, deducibles and hard cryptics. Steady progress through the lower half literally laid the foundation for the remainder. By my own standards, if I didnt require much help solving MUDD, it means he is taking it easy on me. Thanks MUDD for this excellent Friday treat.
Financial Times 14,872 by PETO
I thought PETO (unusual for a Friday) set a puzzle that was more approachable than some his earlier servings. I still needed to use the internet to confirm my answers for a couple of clues which I hadnt come across before. 14ac could use some help.
A lovely start to this Friday. Thanks to Peto for a delectable challenge.
Financial Times 14,866 by BRADMAN
A reunion with the Don this Friday. A very pleasant challenge with some clues that were just out of reach (annoyingly so) as a direct solve. I had to resort to looking up Google for confirming the parsing for a couple of clues.
Financial Times 14,860 by MUDD
An excellent challenge from MUDD today! Several fantastic clues peppered all over the grid and a real treat for someone wanting to bite into tantalizing cryptic crosswords.
Financial Times 14,854 by CHALMIE
A very enjoyable puzzle from CHALMIE this Friday. There were some devious twists and turns that extended the solving time by atleast 25% for me. A couple of clues also had me googling feverishly for checking the parsing but otherwise relatively unambiguous.
Financial Times 14,851 by PHSSTHPOK
First time I am standing in, so feels strange to be out on a Tuesday. Thanks to Phsssthpok for a grid that really had me at my wits’ end!! Had to get some help for the parsing of some clues but at the end of it, felt like a really good challenge.
Financial Times 14,848 by BRADMAN
Bradman’s puzzle today was teasingly difficult. I solved it in 2 sittings amidst a very hectic day at work so probably didnt stand to appreciate it as much others might have. Thanks to the Don for a mostly straightforward solve.
Financial Times 14,842 by MUDD
Unusual to see Mudd on Friday but a very welcome (if somewhat scary) setter nevertheless. I found his challenge today to be more approachable than some of his earlier ones. Clean cluing and neat surfaces meant a pleasurable solve this morning.
Financial Times 14,836 by WANDERER
A brilliant stunner of an FT challenge!! Wanderer – If you are reading this, take a bow! I dont think I can adequately extol the attributes of this puzzle but suffices to say that I shall eagerly await more grids from this setter.