January 2011 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

DT 26463

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26463

Hints and tips by Libellule

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

I thought this was a but harder than is normal, and I completed it in fits and starts. 11a is without doubt an old chestnut, but I am sure it will be appreciated by those who have not seen it before. Still – mustn’t grumble, its an enjoyable crossword.

If you need to see the answer, highlight the space between the curly brackets.

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NTSPP – 051 (Comments)

Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 051

A puzzle by Qix

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Welcome to the fifty first in our series of weekly puzzles.

Qix makes a quick return to the NTSPP fold with this new puzzle. He’s promised not to use triple unches in future!

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Crossword Course in Oxford

Crossword Course in Oxford

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A few tickets are still available.

Don “Giovanni” Manley is giving a one-day course on “How to solve cryptic crosswords”.  The course is in Oxford, and is in aid of his local church.
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DT 26462 (Hints)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26462 (Hints)

Big Dave’s Saturday Crossword Club

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I will be at the Sloggers and Betters meeting in Derby all day, but I’m sure you will be looked after by the rest of the team.

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

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Toughie 502

Toughie No 502 by Micawber

Hints and tips by Tilsit

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

Another splendid puzzle from this talented young setter. The puzzle contains a nice mix of challenging clues, plus some moments to make you smile.

It’s good to know that with setters like Micawber (and Paul of The Guardian) the future of crosswords is bright. I’d include Elgar in the young category, but he’s been around since the ark! Good luck to everyone at the gathering in Derby tomorrow, and if you are able to make it, please do. Crossword gatherings are not at all stand-offish or nerdy. In fact Big Dave will personally buy everyone a drink there. (WARNING FROM BD: Claims like this are not necessarily honoured. Your home is at risk if you put a tin of petrol in your microwave and switch it on.)

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ST 2572

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2572

A full review by Crypticsue

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

Another Sunday treat from Virgilius – a super mix of clues from the straightforward to the very deceptive; so thanks once again to the Sunday Supremo for an excellent, enjoyable brain stretching workout.

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DT 26461

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26461

Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

This is a pleasant, not overly difficult, Giovanni production. Let us know your views in a comment.
If you want to see an answer highlight the space between the brackets under the relevant clue.

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DT 26456

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26456

A full review by Crypticsue

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

This Saturday was the turn of the mystery setter to provide some excellent entertainment – one of those puzzles where I started off thinking I might struggle, soon got into the swing of it and ended up delighted to have solved it in a good time. A very nice mix of clues…or were there too many double definitions?.

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