Toughie No 2389 by proXimal
Hints and tips by Big Dave
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ****
Dutch is on holiday this week, giving me a chance to review a puzzle by one of my favourite setters.
Not many setters seem to have grasped what solvers expect from a Toughie, but proXimal certainly has. I was sailing through this, one clue at a time, before I came to a grinding halt in the southwest corner, which is why I added an extra helf a star to the difficulty. With a compound anagram it can be difficult to spot what is going on, and I needed to solve 27a before having any chance of knowing which four-letter name was required in 24d. Continue reading “Toughie 2389”
Toughie No 2369 by proXimal
Hints and tips by Dutch
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****
A very worthy Friday toughie. I’m in a bit of a rush today. Thank you Gazza for the parsing of 1a!
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2346 by proXimal
Hints and tips by Dutch
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment *****
We have come to expect nothing but top quality puzzles from proXimal. Excellent surface readings combined with innovative clueing makes for a most enjoyable solve
Definitions are underlined as usual.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2326 by proXimal
Hints and tips by Dutch
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Another most enjoyable puzzle from proXimal with some delightful clues. I hope you liked it as much as I did.
Definitions are underlined as usual. The hints are intended to help you unravel the wordplay.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2302 by proXimal
Hints and tips by Dutch
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Another very nice puzzle from proXimal, not stupidly hard, great surfaces, just my kind of thing – a great way to start the day.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2282 by proXimal
Hints and tips by Dutch
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ***/****
Fair, not overly difficult and enjoyable puzzle from proXimal today. I started with 8a and worked systematically anti-clockwise, giving me the illusion of being in control.
Many thanks Tilsit for looking after last Friday’s toughie
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2254 by proXimal
Hints and tips by Dutch
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment *****
Beautiful clueing by proXimal. After some initial staring at the grid, I found a foothold after which I progressed at a reasonable pace. No obscurities, thank you setter, though I hadn’t heard of the valley (21d)
Identifying the definition in the clue is half the battle.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2226 by proXimal
Hints and tips by Dutch
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
I was happy to find that proXimal has again given us an accessible puzzle today with some lovely surfaces. I managed three quarters of this fairly rapidly, then the last quarter took as much time again.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2202 by proXimal
Hints and tips by Dutch
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
I enjoyed this – I much prefer proXimal when he is not as his most devious.
Definitions underlined as usual. The hints are intended to explain how the wordplay works, and you can reveal the answers by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2182 by proXimal
Hints and tips by Deep Threat
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
Good afternoon from South Staffs. Dutch is away this week, so I’ve been allowed out of my usual Friday morning slot.
It took me a little while to get going on this puzzle, with some well-hidden definitions and indicators, plus an element of General Knowledge, but once I got a toehold I was able to work steadily through.… Continue reading