April 2014 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 1179

Toughie No 1179 by proXimal

An eXcellent Debut

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

 We welcome a new Toughie setter today – I’m not totally sure who proXimal is but the capital X is perhaps a broad hint that it’s a new pseudonym for someone who’s a regular commenter here and a contributor to the NTSPP series as well as a setter for the Independent. In any case he (or possibly she, if my guess is wrong) is very welcome and has provided us with an entertaining debut puzzle with lots of very well disguised definitions. I would have given this 2* for difficulty but I ended up cheating on 9a so I’ve bumped it up to 3*.
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DT 27477

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27477

Hints and tips by scchua

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

A relaxing puzzle from Jay, except for perhaps one 4-letter answer I’m uncertain about. 1.5*/3* for me. Thanks Jay. (Apologies for later posting – just got back after 5 hours in the eye clinic.)

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Toughie 1178

Toughie No 1178 by Warbler

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Yet another lovely puzzle from the lovely Warbler. Solving 7 down early on certainly helps as it provides the definition for five other clues.

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DT 27476

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27476

Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

This is a fairly typical Tuesday puzzle with nothing too tricky to keep you from the business of the rest of the day. Do let us in on your solving experience.

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DT 27475

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27475

Hints and tips by Miffypops

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BD Rating – Difficulty *Enjoyment ***

Thankfully today, pussycat Rufus turned up and gave a breeze of a puzzle. 22d is a corker of a clue. What do you think?

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DT 27474 (Hints)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27474 (Hints)

Big Dave’s Crossword Club

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As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, an assortment of clues, including some of the more difficult ones, have been selected and hints provided for them.

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Toughie 1177

Toughie No 1177 by Notabilis

Hints and tips by Tilsit

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

Greetings from the Calder Valley. Notabilis is here today to tease and torment us with a lovely puzzle, well up to his usual standard, though overall I think slightly easier than usual. Some lovely clues and all-in-all a very pleasant solve.

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