January 20, 2012 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 706

Toughie No 706 by Notabilis

Hints and tips by Tilsit

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BD Rating – Difficulty ****Enjoyment *****

Greetings from the Calder Valley. Time for the Friday Fiend and today we have a battle with Notabilis, one of my very favourite setters who consistently produces elegant and superior puzzles that leave you with a feeling a satisfaction when you enter the last answer. Today’s challenge is no exception with some really grand clues.

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ST 2622

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2622

A full review by Gnomethang

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

Afternoon All! We have another no frills but highly enjoyable Virgilius puzzle from last Sunday. Not so hard but a couple to make you think.

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DT 26767

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26767

Hints and tips by Digby

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

From Closet Blogger, to occasional comments, via offering the odd tip to help guide Mary out of the Clueless Club, I suppose that this was the inevitable next step. I think it was Falcon who said that writing his first blog was like riding a bike without the training wheels. Now I know what he meant! Knowing that BD, and the rest of the team, is “out there” to help is a great comfort, however. We have a nicely balanced puzzle today from Giovanni. A good mix of difficulty and clue construction (including a couple of “old chestnuts”) that should please everyone. But what do you think?

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DT 26762

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26762

A full review by Crypticsue

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BD Rating – Difficulty **/***Enjoyment ***

A slightly trickier offering from Cephas this week but as enjoyable as usual, with a nice mix of clues including his trademark anagrams and a couple of new words to learn.

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