Welcome

January 29, 2009 – 12:00 am

Welcome to Big Dave’s Telegraph Crossword Blog

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

If you are looking for help with the Daily and Sunday Telegraph cryptic crosswords, a total of 11 puzzles a week, then you have come to the right place.  Here  you will get help with solving these puzzles, and the wordplay will be explained by fellow solvers in simple, easy to understand, terms.

My aim is to have the main cryptic review available by 11.00 each morning, and the one for the Toughie by 2.00 in the afternoon, but please remember that all work on this site is voluntary (that’s a euphemism for  unpaid!) and that circumstances may mean that some days they will be a little later.

If this is your first time, or for more information about this site, please click on Read More »

By Big Dave | Posted in Announcements, Highlight | Comments Off

ST 2515

December 25, 2009 – 12:00 pm

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2515

A full analysis by Peter Biddlecombe

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** - Enjoyment *****

Not too surprisingly, this puzzle has a seasonal greeting and many seasonal answers and clues – only five clue/answer combinations have nothing to do with Christmas or midwinter, by my reckoning. I went slightly astray by guessing a wrong continuation of the greeting in 28A, but this didn’t hold me up for long. There’s a fair number of very easy clues and a bit of repetition (one = I occurs at least three times) but the entertainment and theme is worth it. The message is repeated from me, especially if you should be reading this on the day when it’s scheduled to appear, with the addition of “, bloggers, setters and editors”. Now go back to your family and/or friends!

[As usual, I wrote this before reading the comments on Sunday - pleased to see that Brian has abandoned whatever anonymity he'd managed to keep. I hope my reports on his puzzles don't sound too creepy - he's one of my favourite setters and that's hard to disguise. If there is anything to criticise, I'll be on to it, but he doesn't slip up very often!]

Read More »

By petebiddlecombe | Posted in Crosswords, Prize Crosswords, ST Cryptic Crosswords, Sunday | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

Christmas Day Puzzles

December 25, 2009 – 10:00 am

Christmas Day Puzzles

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

I was rather disappointed to find out that the promised “free” access to CluedUp today appears to be via the 7-day trial, which is available for the other 364 days of the year as well.  I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on these excellent puzzles, so you can download them here in pdf format.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  Thanks to the bloggers who have volunteered to produce these posts every day of the year, to the setters without whom we would have nothing to write about, to the Phil, the Puzzles Editor, whose work has come under more scrutiny than he can ever have anticipated, and especially to you, the viewers, who have contributed to making this  one of the most successful crossword blogs in the world.

Read More »

By Big Dave | Posted in Crosswords, Highlight | Tagged , | Comments (1)

Toughie 100001

December 25, 2009 – 12:02 am

Toughie No 100001 by Elgar

Christmas Streamer

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty **** - Enjoyment ****

This is a marvellous piece of crossword construction by a superbly entertaining setter. As we’ve come to expect there is a smattering of rule bending but we wouldn’t have it any other way, and the rewards are spectacularly good. With so many answers contributing to the message it’s inevitable that a couple of obscurities have crept in, but that didn’t spoil the fun for me.

The message itself takes up no less than 12 grid entries – in order, 20d, 12a, 28a, 15d, 10a, 1a, 17d, 5a, 21a, 30a, 16a and 9a – a mighty achievement and you’ll see how these placings pretty much forced everything else into place. The message forms the first lines of a poem by George R Sims.

My favourite clues are shown in blue – how do they compare with yours? Leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Read More »

By Anax | Posted in Crosswords, Elgar, Toughie Crosswords | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (2)

DT 100001

December 25, 2009 – 12:01 am

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 100001

Happy Christmas, Everybody

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****

On this festive day there are, of course, no newspapers printed, so this puzzle exists only in cyberspace on the Clued Up site. I understand that it should be available even to non-subscribers, but I cannot verify this.

Based on a comment left by Rufus earlier in the week, we can take it that this is another of his, so that for the second day running the Maestro has produced a gentle puzzle with a seasonal theme, designed no doubt with the thought in mind that many solvers may have partaken of a small sherry and may not be in the best shape for deep thought.

I hope that you are all enjoying a peaceful and happy Christmas, and if you do have time to leave us a comment, we’d be delighted to read it.

Read More »

By gazza | Posted in Crosswords, DT Cryptic Crosswords, Friday | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (7)

DT 26116

December 24, 2009 – 12:00 pm

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26116

A full analysis by Big Dave

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** - Enjoyment ****

One of the best Saturday Prize puzzles for quite a while has no answer of less than six letters. Most of the recent puzzles from Cephas have been pangrams – that is all 26 letters of the alphabet are used – and this one is no exception.

Read More »

By Big Dave | Posted in Crosswords, DT Cryptic Crosswords, Prize Crosswords, Saturday | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Toughie 274

December 24, 2009 – 12:02 am

Toughie No 274 by Elgar

Christmas cracker!

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ***** - Enjoyment *****

Seasonal Greetings from the snowy Calder Valley!

An absolutely stunning festive puzzle from Elgar today, which not only features a special Christmas favourite as the theme but a rattling good set of clues to boot. Only one clue I have a bit of a grumble about but I can see what our setter is aiming at with it. A couple of new words to me as well, but that’s all part of the fun of solving a Toughie. If you are really, really stuck, there’s a big hint at the very end of the puzzle.

As a chum of Elgar’s I am probably a bit biased, but this shows a compiler at the top of his game and why he is often regarded as a “setter’s setter”. I am already looking forward to his next one which may well be lurking around Clued Up tomorrow. Don’t forget that you can have a free trial this week, so do make sure you get the two special puzzles on the site tomorrow. If for any reason you miss them, I am sure one of the nice bods around these parts may oblige!

Leave a comment telling us what you thought of it. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.

Read More »

By tilsit | Posted in Crosswords, Elgar, Toughie Crosswords | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (5)

DT 26120

December 24, 2009 – 12:01 am

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26120

Hints and tips by Libellule

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty *** - Enjoyment ****

A bit of a cornery grid, too many cryptic definitions, how does 9a work, is 16d cryptic? Bah humbug! In general an enjoyable Christmas themed crossword, what more can you ask for. According to a comment made by J, this is one of Rufus’ crosswords, but many thanks to J. for all of the crosswords he has set this year.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all of the Telegraph setters, the readers of this blog, and the bloggers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Read More »

By Libellule | Posted in Crosswords, DT Cryptic Crosswords, Thursday | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (10)

Toughie 273

December 23, 2009 – 12:02 am

Toughie No 273 by Cephas

The Back of Beyond

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **

Today’s compiler is the usual setter of the Saturday Prize Crossword and this puzzle is a pangram (i.e. it contains all the letters of the alphabet), which is becoming his trademark. Apart from a couple of dodgy anagram indicators (at 22a and 28a) there is a horrible clue at 5d which expects you to find a very obscure village with the only help being that it is in Cambridgeshire!

As always your comments are very welcome.

Read More »

By gazza | Posted in Cephas, Crosswords, Toughie Crosswords | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (9)

DT 26119

December 23, 2009 – 12:01 am

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26119

All Puzzled Out!

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** - Enjoyment ***

Christmas is always a crossword fan’s dream. Lots and lots of special puzzles around and I currently have 14 waiting to be solved from last weekend. Many of them are Jumbos and barred puzzles with a theme and take a lot longer.

Of course the dailies still run on, and not many have a theme, especially here in the Telegraph. So in effect they provide a little light relief from the festive challenges. This was an OK puzzle, but didn’t really hit the heights for me and it was difficult to guess who the setter was there were no clues to really help me identify them.

One of my (admittedly small) grumbles today is with the cryptic definition at 7 down. I am a reasonably PC person and have to admit to being surprised to see that clue in the Telegraph, rather like yesterday’s CRINOLINE clue. Quite a lot of you will probably find it hilarious, but it isn’t my cup of coffee (I can’t stand tea!). Not keen on the use of “number” to indicate Personal Identification Number in 19 either. However it passed a pleasant few minutes and there wasn’t a lot to trouble me in there today.

Incidentally, if you want a cracking Christmas challenge, try Araucaria’s Christmas Cracker, which can be found here. Read that preamble carefully and get thinking!

Read More »

By tilsit | Posted in Crosswords, DT Cryptic Crosswords, Wednesday | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (47)

Toughie 272

December 22, 2009 – 12:02 am

Toughie No 272 by Osmosis

What a difference a grid makes!

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** - Enjoyment ***

Anax commented on the last puzzle from Osmosis that the E/E grid, where the answers appeared in the even numbered rows and columns, made solving harder than it might otherwise have been. This time we have an O/O grid and the puzzle was considerably easier. I felt that the enjoyment was considerably reduced by some very convoluted wordplay, much of which I only managed to resolve after completing the puzzle.

Leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.

Read More »

By Big Dave | Posted in Crosswords, Osmosis, Toughie Crosswords | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (14)

DT 26118

December 22, 2009 – 12:01 am

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26118

Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***

It’s Ray T’s turn this week and we have a typically entertaining puzzle, although I felt that a couple of the cryptic definitions were a bit weak, and I do have a gripe with 12a.

As always the answers are hidden inside the curly brackets under each clue – just select the white space inside the brackets to reveal.

Since this is my last Cryptic review before the big day (although for Toughie addicts, I will be back tomorrow), may I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas.

Read More »

By gazza | Posted in Crosswords, DT Cryptic Crosswords, Tuesday | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (24)

DT 26117

December 21, 2009 – 12:01 am

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26117

Hints and tips by Rishi

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***

Today’s crossword from our Monday Maestro posed some difficulties which I had to surmount before completing the puzzle.  At one stage, after the initial flurry of quick fills, I had ten to go: 10a, 14a, 28a, 29a, 30a and 7d, 18d, 19d,21d and 26d.  Luckily these fell one by one: why the bottom left corner held on till the end was because of my own mistake in writing wrongly the second word in the long phrasal 11d.  I got wise to it only after some crossings wouldn’t gel.

Clues I liked especially: 20a, 1d.

Read More »

By Rishi | Posted in Crosswords, DT Cryptic Crosswords, Monday | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (38)

ST 2515 – Hints

December 20, 2009 – 12:01 am

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2515 – Hints

Hints and tips by Big Dave

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** - Enjoyment *****

Four weeks ago Sunsetter hinted that there might be a themed puzzle appropriate to the time of year – well here it is! You are certain to spot the theme very quickly, but in order not to spoil it I have decided not to provide hints for the first and last across clues.

This is quite an easy puzzle, but the five stars for enjoyment reflect the number of clues that made me smile.

If Helen is reading this, I  did try to write to you last week but my email was returned as undeliverable so I answered your question in the Hints post.

Don’t forget that you can give your assessment of the puzzle. Five stars if you thought it was great, one if you hated it, four, three or two if it was somewhere in between.

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them.

Peter Biddlecombe’s full review of this puzzle will be published at 12.00 on Friday, 25th December (or thereabouts!).

Read More »

By Big Dave | Posted in Crosswords, Prize Crosswords, Sunday Hints | Tagged , , , | Comments (21)

DT 26116 – Hints

December 19, 2009 – 12:01 am

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26116 – Hints

Big Dave’s Saturday Crossword Club

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** - Enjoyment ****

A number of you said that you didn’t like having too many four-letter words in a puzzle – well Cephas has delivered on his promise and the shortest answer today is six letters. The result is one of the best Saturday Prize puzzles for quite a while. Remember that most of the recent puzzles from this setter have been pangrams – that is all 26 letters of the alphabet are used – as this may help you with the final few answers.

Don’t forget that you can give your assessment of the puzzle. Five stars if you thought it was great, one if you hated it, four, three or two if it was somewhere in between.

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them. A full review of this puzzle will be published on Thursday, 24th December.

Read More »

By Big Dave | Posted in Crosswords, Prize Crosswords, Saturday Hints | Tagged , , , | Comments (40)

ST 2514

December 18, 2009 – 12:00 pm

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2514

A full analysis by Peter Biddlecombe

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty **** - Enjoyment *****

Apologies for posting late – got too involved in the live webchat and blog discussions of today’s Times puzzle.

This was a slow puzzle for me, as all the answers I found difficult were in the same corner – 4A, 13A, 6D, 8D. Solving these took about 4/3 of the time needed for the rest of the puzzle.

Read More »

By petebiddlecombe | Posted in Crosswords, Prize Crosswords, ST Cryptic Crosswords, Sunday | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)