Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Another splendid start to Sunday from Virgilius – I had a bit of a mental block with 12a but once I had worked it out, thought it should join my list of favourite clues, all highlighted in blue.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
This is typical Giovanni puzzle with very precise clueing and smooth surfaces. It’s hard enough to make you think (but not as much of a stretch as yesterday’s). Let us know how you got on in a comment.
My good wishes for the Welsh rugby team obviously did the trick last week so let’s hope for more of the same tomorrow morning so that we reach the final (wouldn’t that be worth celebrating!). Here’s something stirring to get you in the mood for the big match:
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating –Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Morning All! We had a pleasant challenge from Cephas this week. Not too taxing but a few good charades and a couple of amusing definitions. 27a and 15d were favourite for me this week.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Today’s puzzles have kindly been provided by Phil McNeill, the Telegraph’s Puzzles Editor.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Greetings from the Calder Valley. Bufo and I have swapped duties this week as I have a couple of hospital appointments tomorrow. Thanks to him for agreeing to this. I eagerly awaited the appearance of the puzzle at midnight and my heart sank when I saw it was by MynoT, who I have to say is not one of my favourite setters. My gloom deepened when I saw the grid full of double unchecked squares (another bête-noir) and so I set to.
However, I was pleasantly surprised and appreciated the effort that went into the puzzle. I am aware that for the gimmick hidden within the puzzle (all the answers contain the letter C) to work, you probably need to use a grid like this, so I’ll say no more on the topic (cue sighs of relief from the TCE!). Not up to the really high standards of the past few puzzles, but still a worthy member of the Toughie canon.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
I found this to be one of Ray T’s tougher back-page puzzles. I put this down to misdirection as every clue was easily solvable.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Today’s puzzles, courtesy of Phil McNeill, the Telegraph’s Puzzles Editor. Today we also have the Sudoku, Kakuro, Codewords and Mind Gym puzzles.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
This is an enjoyable, moderately difficult puzzle from Osmosis with, as usual from him, lots of clues involving initial letters, final letters, insertions and reversals. It has only two anagrams which may be some sort of record and certainly earns an extra enjoyment star from me.
Let us know how you found it and please take the time to click on one of the stars below to record your enjoyment factor.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Hola from the Vega Baja. The usual Wednesday wizardry from Jay this week. Not too taxing on the whole but a couple of slightly tricky ones to keep us alert! I did really enjoy this one though and there’s a lot of blue today. It must be the lack of stress from not having to try for ages to get into the website so thanks to BD and Phil for the new service! Just hope it’s not needed for too long.
Like last week the picture opportunities are a bit limited but my Technical Director has been taken back on as a consultant today (at exorbitant rates) and is currently searching for a suitable video clip for 22a so many thanks to her!
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Today’s puzzles, courtesy of Phil McNeill, the Telegraph’s Puzzles Editor. Today we also have the Sudoku, Kakuro, Codewords and Mind Gym puzzles.