Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26355 (Hints)
Big Dave’s Saturday Crossword Club
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As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them.
Month: September 2010
Toughie 430
Toughie No 430 by Firefly
Tough for Tough’s sake
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *
I’ve been out all day and Tilsit has vanished into the ether! I did finish this puzzle in two stints with about 6 hours in between. I’d like to know what you think, but I felt it was tough for the wrong reasons and did not enjoy it at all. When you solve a difficult Elgar or Notabilis puzzle you usually get several “Doh!” moments and a lot of enjoyment. I may change my mind after writing the review.
ST 2554
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2554
A full analysis by Peter Biddlecombe
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
I mislaid my original copy with timing, so not sure of my difficulty rating – maybe 4 stars rather than 3 by Sunday puzzle standards. Now that I’ve re-solved the puzzle and written up the clues, well up to standard – no epic hidden word, but three all-in-ones, two old queens and lots of other entertainment.
DT 26354
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26354
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Giovanni has told us before that he likes to produce “bread and butter” puzzles from time to time, and this is one of them. It’s solid fare but with nothing too exciting. I got through it at a fairly steady rate but was held up in the top left-hand corner. Let us know what you think of it in a comment.
To see an answer drag your cursor through the space between the brackets under the relevant clue.
Toughie 429
Toughie No 429 by Beam
Hardbeam or Quickbeam?
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
It’s a new setter today so I’d better be gentle! It was a perfectly acceptable puzzle with nothing that I couldn’t understand. I found to be rather easier than the average Toughie (or perhaps I’m just having a good day) and therefore a quickbeam.
DT 26349
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26349
A full review by Gnomethang
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Afternoon All! I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzle from Cephas. I thought that there were some very nice definitions and some well constructed surface readings.
Continue reading “DT 26349”
DT 26353
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26353
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
One of our mystery setters has produced a puzzle that gave me little pleasure. There were one or two good clues, but I had seen them before which rather took the edge off. [Subsequent to writing this, it turns out that Allan Scott, aka Campbell, is the setter.]
Toughie 428
Toughie No 428 by Micawber
Going for an Indian
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
I have to confess to a slight feeling of disappointment. For most Toughie setters I would have been very happy with this puzzle, but it’s a Micawber and I’ve got used to his giving us a whole host of “aha” moments. There are some in this one, but not as many as usual. Is it just me? Am I suffering a dose of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) at the imminent arrival of Autumn? Let me know what you think in a comment and please remember to click on one of the stars below to register your enjoyment rating.
DT 26352
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26352
Hints and tips by Crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
Jay gave us a puzzle requiring quite a bit of thought which was a bit of a shock after three consecutive puzzles which took me no time at all – shame Other Dave wasn’t out of the office on Monday or Tuesday!! I didn’t notice when solving the puzzle but writing the review has made me realise that there is a slight leaning towards the United States today.
Toughie 427
Toughie No 427 by Warbler
Pants!
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Another pleasant puzzle from Warbler that is about the same difficulty as the typical daily cryptic. Thanks for the sub-heading Gazza.
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.