Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2561 (Hints)
Hints and tips from Big Dave
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Just as a leopard can’t change its spots, changing the name of the online site from CluedUp to Telegraph Puzzles hasn’t stopped stupid mistakes from creeping in. Today’s ScrewUp involves 9 across which, at the time of writing, is unnumbered on the grid and in the clues and can’t be entered online – you have to submit the puzzle with one clue incomplete. Perhaps puzzle_tester has been laid off because of the recession!
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them.
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Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 039 (Review)
A Puzzle by Prolixic
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[Crypticsue] – This Saturday’s alternative puzzle has been provided by Prolixic. As is usual with his crosswords, we found it very enjoyable and would recommend to all as a puzzle which should suit all levels of solving ability, having as it does some very nice clues and wordplay.
[Gnomethang] – Thanks to Crypticsue for doing the type-work; All I had to do was write the amended clues, fill in some wordplay and provide some pictures!
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Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 039
A Puzzle by Prolixic
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Welcome to the thirty ninth in our series of weekly puzzles.
This week Prolixic entertains us again.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26391 (Hints)
Big Dave’s Saturday Crossword Club
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First, some news. Tilsit had his operation on Wednesday and is currently recovering in the Huddersfied Royal Infirmary. He is recovering well and I spoke to him last night. He hopes to be back soon, but his online activities are hindered by poor cellphone reception in the hospital.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them.
Continue reading “DT 26391 (Hints)”
Toughie No 454 by Petitjean
Where have all the hyphens gone?
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment **
A moderately difficult Toughie is made more difficult than it should be by careless enumeration. While 26 across correctly hyphenates the adjectival part of the answer, the same has not been applied to 2 down. A couple of other clues should, in my opinion (and that of the dictionaries that I consulted) have hyphens.
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Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2560
A full analysis by Peter Biddlecombe
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Not much obvious high drama in the clues this week, though three hidden words is a bit unusual. Just (just?) the usual impeccable clues, and a very kind grid for the solver. The use of two commercial names among the clues and answers is a bit unusual for a British crossword, though the Americans are much less shy about this. Memorable mistake by a famous solver in the final stages of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament: Black and white killer [ O??? ] = OREO (correct answer: ORCA).
There are also some clever uses of words with common meanings in cryptic clues, playing other roles this time, other stuff to give the blogger more to write about than he initially expected, and the chance to link to a bit of music.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26390
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
When I logged on to CluedUp this morning I thought that we weren’t going to have a puzzle today as the home page was still pointing at yesterday’s. But I eventually found today’s, disguised as number 26. It’s a typical Giovanni, with one nod towards today’s date. Let us know your thoughts about it in a comment.
If you’re still stuck for an answer after reading the hint just highlight the space between the brackets under the relevant clue.
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Toughie No 453 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Bufo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ***
I made very hard work of this and feel obliged to give it 5 stars for difficulty. I don’t know whether it is that difficult or whether I was just out of sorts. After being stuck for quite a time I needed a second cup of tea to get the brain functioning again and then finished it fairly comfortably.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26385
A full review by Gnomethang
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Afternoon All! I found this thoroughly enjoyable but not so hard. I used to struggle with Cephas until I became accustomed to his style which is odd since it is a more gentle style of setting than some. There were a few clues that caused some trouble on the day but nothing particularly contentious if you have your Crosswordland eyes open.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26389
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
A quick glance at the Quick crossword reveals that all bar one of the clues are single words, confirming that the odds are heavily on Ray T today. There will be howls of protest as this puzzle is even more difficult than usual.
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