Toughie No 318 by Notabilis
This is what they want
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
This blog often contains comments about whether or not the Toughie does what it says on the tin, but getting the balance exactly right – a tough puzzle, but solvable and enjoyable – is difficult to achieve. The three stars I’ve given for difficulty here are solely a reflection of the fact that I managed to get on the setter’s wavelength very quickly, but I suspect others may have found it hard going in places. What I can be fairly sure of, though, is that those who got through it will have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. No doubt the crossword editor receives many comments along the lines of “I think the Telegraph Toughie should be…”; the only thing I can say is that an increase in the number of puzzles by Notabilis would be welcomed by all. He really is a superb setter; imaginative, witty, concise and solidly Ximenean in technique.
This puzzle is no exception, an absolute delight. The clues are completely fair, smooth, and littered with just the right number of “Aha!” moments, and also a few genuine “Bravo!” moments.
My favourites are in blue but I’ve tried to highlight the very best out of a really fine set of clues.
Your comments on the puzzle are most welcome. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26186
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
It’s Friday, it’s Giovanni, it’s good – what more can I say?
We normally have lots of comments on Friday, so please don’t let this week be an exception. If you’ve been lurking here for a while and have yet to introduce yourself, now would be an excellent time to take your courage in both hands and write something in that comment box at the bottom!
For new readers, the answers are hidden so that you don’t see them by accident. If you do need to reveal one, drag your cursor through the space between the curly brackets under the relevant clue.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26181
A full analysis by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
A bit harder than last week – heading in the right direction!
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Toughie No 317 by Excalibur
No Comment!
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment *
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26185
Hints and tips by Libellule
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
A straight forward crossword today that should not cause many problems. Some of you will love it, some of you will dislike it. Personally I am just underwhelmed. Already looking forward to tomorrow.
If you can’t work out the answer from the hint, just highlight the space in the curly brackets.
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Toughie No 316 by Giovanni
Teaching Ray and Me to Sing
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Giovanni has given us a really good workout today. I found it enjoyable but tricky, being held up for some time in the top left-hand corner. There are a number of homophones, at least one of which (18a) is a bit dodgy but very amusing.
Your comments, on the puzzle, the review or anything else, are very welcome.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26184
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A very straightforward puzzle today. With a little persistence this one should be achievable by the average solver.
Leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
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Toughie No 315 by Campbell
Games People Play
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A much better puzzle from Campbell today, this one took me nearly twice as long as the last two or three. Not yet a difficult Toughie, but definitely a step in the right direction.
Regulars will have noticed that yesterday the view count went hrough the 1,000,000 barrier – not bad in just 13½ months! Many thanks to all of you for your continuing support.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26183
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A fairly straightforward puzzle from Shamus today, but one with which I have a couple of niggles. Firstly, I don’t think that the cryptic definitions (12a, 19a and 24a) are really that good, and, secondly, “sign” is used in two clues to mean a letter (in 3d it’s used for “first letter”). I can’t really see how “sign of worse” (3d) can be stretched to mean W. Of course you may have a different view – all comments are welcome.
As always the answers are hidden so that you don’t see them by accident. Drag your cursor between the curly brackets under a clue to reveal the relevant answer.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26182
Hints and tips by Rishi
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
In this neat and gentle crossword by our Monday Maestro I first secured bottom left corner and then bottom right. The very last to go in were 9a, 10a, 3d and 7d. For excellent surface reading I like 31a and 20a. If there is a clue that I don’t like it’s 10a. Please see comment at appropriate place below.
If you are wondering where my answers are, please highlight the white space within the curly brackets under any clue.
Leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
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