Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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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.
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
A proper Friday Toughie but not quite as fiendish as some Elgar puzzles can be. When I left the kitchen table after solving the crossword to go and prepare the blog post, I said to Mr CS that there were only two clues I didn’t understand (which is quite good going for an Elgar) but as I typed the hints, things became clearer and I just hope my interpretations are correct. Continue reading “Toughie 3784”
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BD Rating - Difficulty *** - Enjoyment ***
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. Continue reading "DT 31384"
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This puzzle was published on 24th October 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. An entertaining Saturday puzzle from Chris Lancaster that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31379 (Full Review)”
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****
Typically clever constructions from Karla that were made gentler by fair, smart definitions. I was vaguely aware of 3d but 9d (generously clued) was, of course, new to me. Nor did I know that 20d was defunct (“archaic” in Collins, “old” in Chambers). Presumably we can’t say lashings of ginger beer anymore either! The floor is yours.
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31373
Hints and Tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ****
We have an entertaining puzzle today with a mixture of pretty straightforward clues and a few needing a bit more thought. Many thanks to our setter.
Continue reading “DT 31383”
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
A lovely sunny morning brings us an enjoyable Toughie from Silvanus
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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 be quite a head-scratcher, and a definite step up in difficulty compared with yesterday. I needed several checkers to get the two long anagrams, 10a and 26a. They are both on my crowded podium today, which also includes the lurkers in 1a and 8a, and the draught-excluding PM in 20a. Many thanks to our setter, who (judging by the suggestions in yesterday’s Toughie blog) may very well be Hudson.
Sunday Toughie No 247 by Silvanus
Full Review by Gazza
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This puzzle was published on 18/10/26
Silvanus has provided a very entertaining Toughie this week.
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 247 (full review)”
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This puzzle was published on 18th October 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A lovely and gentle Sunday puzzle of Dada that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of his puzzle for your kind perusal and important feedback. Continue reading “ST 3391 (Full Review)”
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
Whybird’s been snaffled by jury service, so I’m afraid you’ve got me instead. Still, Hudson’s appearance should be a nice surprise: entertainingly cosy and very Tuesday. There’s a faint whisper of vocab – 23a rang a vague bell but 13a was new to me. Both are, of course, gift-wrapped and, as ever, it all reads beautifully. The floor is yours.