Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 057
A puzzle by Qix
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Many thanks to Qix for entertaining us with a fine crossword. As Big Dave mentioned in his introduction, this was of back page difficulty though there were a couple of clues where the wordplay was a little more complicated and more into Toughie territory. There is one clue, 4d, where I am a little dubious about the wordplay but it did not detract from an enjoyable challenge.
I have highlighted my favourite clues in blue. Let us know your comments and favourites.
Continue reading “NTSPP – 057 (Review)”
Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 057
A puzzle by Qix
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Welcome to the latest in our series of weekly puzzles.
Qix has set a puzzle of comparable difficulty to a regular back-page puzzle.
Continue reading “NTSPP – 057 (Comments)”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26498 (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.
Continue reading “DT 26498 (Hints)”
Toughie No 526 by Notabilis
Hints and tips by Tilsit
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from the sunny Calder Valley. I managed to escape from the clutches of Calderdale Hospital and am getting back to a state of normality. Looking forward to the annual Listener Crossword Dinner tomorrow night in Sheffield. Incidentally, if anyone is in the Sheffield area tomorrow afternoon, a number of your favourite setters, including Elgar will be gathering for a natter at The Sheffield Tap in the railway station, and you will be given a warm welcome if you arrive there as well. Anytime from about 12 noon. Unfortunately, I have an important FA engagement which will prevent me from joining them, although if the promised snow materialises, I will be there.
Today we have a lovely puzzle by one of our finest setters which for me is the perfect Toughie. Indeed, this was a real Toughie for me, as I struggled with several clues that normally I wouldn’t have. I suspect my biorhythms are a bit out of kilter today. Thanks to BD for a couple of nudges.
Continue reading “Toughie 526”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2578
A full review by Crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ****
Definitely normal service resumed by Virgilius today after last week’s themed crossword. A lovely start to Sunday morning with his usual excellent mix of clever clues, including a few headscratchers that caused me and others a bit of work. Thank you once again Virgilius for a great crossword which has been as much pleasure to review as to solve.
Continue reading “ST 2578”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26497
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Giovanni has delivered a very entertaining puzzle today. Let us know how you liked it in a comment.
If you want to see an answer highlight the space between the brackets under the clue.
Continue reading “DT 26497”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26492
A full review by Gnomethang
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Morning All!. This Saturday was the turn of our mystery setter and once again we have been given a good, honest puzzle with some excellent clues. Continue reading “DT 26492”
Toughie No 525 by Excalibur
Hints and tips by Bufo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
BD apologised when he sent me this Excalibur puzzle to blog but, in fact, I didn’t find it too bad. I didn’t care for some of the definitions used and I could nitpick and find fault with several of the clues. But overall I thought it was fair enough
Continue reading “Toughie 525”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26496
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Suspecting that today would be Ray T’s turn I tackled the Quick crossword first. To my surprise there were three words rather than one in the clue for 22 down – is this a rare aberration or has someone tinkered with the puzzle before publication? This puzzle certainly is typical of Ray and I’m sure he will be along later to confirm.
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Toughie No 524 by Giovanni
Polymaths Required!
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Giovanni has given us a Toughie which covers a broad spectrum of knowledge from Greek mythology to jazz musician via a meteor shower. As always his definitions are very precise and his wordplay is exceedingly fair. I struggled with it a bit (especially 4d) but enjoyed it a lot.
Let us know how you got on in a comment and please don’t forget to signal how much you enjoyed it by clicking on one of the stars below.
Continue reading “Toughie 524”