Big Dave's Crossword Blog – Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English

 Jane – New Update April 13th

by Senf  

Not from Jane’s friend Jacquie, but based on a message from Jane herself, April 13th:
Jane came home from hospital last Thursday (the 9th) but still needs ongoing medical care and it will probably be some time before she starts communicating with us on a regular basis. In the meantime, she would like to thank everyone for their very much appreciated cards and messages.

A brief update from Jane’s friend Jacquie – April 2nd – Jane is still in hospital and is on her second round of treatment but is not yet ready to see visitors.  More as I receive further updates from Jacquie.
Continue reading “Jane – New Update April 13th“

 Welcome

by Big Dave  

Welcome to Big Dave’s Crossword Blog

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You have reached the world’s biggest and best crossword blog.  If you are looking for help with the Daily and Sunday Telegraph cryptic crosswords or the Enigmatic Variations advanced cryptic, a total of 13 puzzles a week, then you have come to the right place.

If this is your first time, or for more information about this site, please click on Continue reading “Welcome”

Toughie 3672

by crypticsue  

Toughie  No 3672 by Elgar

Hints and Tips by crypticsue

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

Exactly what you expect from Elgar’s fortnightly visit to the middle of the paper. As clearly indicated by the clue to 21d, the Across solutions are all hiding items which a 15d might catch

Continue reading “Toughie 3672”

DT 31211 (Full Review)

by Rahmat Ali  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31211

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 11th April 2026

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

Greetings from Kolkata. A pretty straightforward Saturday puzzle from Twmbarlwm that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31211 (Full Review)”

Toughie 3671

by ALP  

Toughie No 3671 by Silvanus
Hints and tips by ALP

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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty */** – Enjoyment ***/****

Not too tricky and typically fair. I suspect 25a, for one, would have taken longer to unpick without crossers but – with them – it flew in. So … pretty gentle for a Thursday, I’d say. All yours.
Continue reading “Toughie 3671”

DT 31215

by Gazza  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31215
Hints and Tips by Gazza

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

Thanks to today’s setter (I’ll leave you to guess his or her identity) for an enjoyable puzzle pitched at just the right level for a Thursday.
Continue reading “DT 31215”

DT 31214

by Deansleigh  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31214
Hints and Tips by Deansleigh

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

Good morning everyone, and welcome to the midweek back-pager blog.  I found today’s puzzle to have just the right level of difficulty for a Wednesday workout, and the perfect antidote to a miserable morning here on the South Coast of England.  There were a couple of words that were new to me, and a reasonable amount of general knowledge  is required, but but everything is fairly clued.  I had ticks all over the page, but amongst my favourites are 1a, 24a, 1d, 8d, 16d and 18d, with first prize going to the stranded passenger in 17a. Many thanks to our setter.

Continue reading “DT 31214”

ST 3363 (Full Review)

by Rahmat Ali  

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3363

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 5th April 2026

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

Greetings from Kolkata. Dada has given us an excellent and friendly solve this Sunday and now I present to you a full review of his puzzle. Hope to have your valuable feedback and comments. Continue reading “ST 3363 (Full Review)”