Toughie No 726 by Elgar
Trouble Double
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
Greetings from the Calder Valley! Today’s Friday Fiend is young Elgar who presents us with an enjoyable challenge that unfolded nicely as you solved it. I managed to crack the left side fairly quickly, but the right side proved reasonably elusive, but once one of the answers came to me, everything else fell into place. After last Friday’s mental mayhem, this seemed positively joyous.
The puzzle has four twelve letter answers, each comprising a phrase made up of two six-letter words that are fairly similar and differ only in an odd letter. The cluing is of Elgar’s impeccable standard and contain some nicely misleading pieces which don’t leave you scratching your head and wondering why you are persevering.
Continue reading “Toughie 726”
53.743304-2.013021
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2627
A full review by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
I usually type out my weekend puzzle review when I have spare time on a Wednesday evening and schedule it for the right time slot on the Friday, as I don’t always know what I might be doing on Thursday evening. It is a good job that I do as yesterday teatime brought a texted plea for help from Gnomethang who was on a work call-out that might take all night. Luckily I had saved my solved Sunday puzzle for such an emergency (there have been a few lately!) and was delighted to enjoy this superb Virgilius puzzle second time around. I have marked my favourite clues in blue
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26797
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
I completed three-quarters of this one pretty swiftly but then slowed down in the NW corner (which upped the difficulty level to 3* for me). Thanks to Giovanni for the customary Friday enjoyment and a warm-up for the impending five-setter with Elgar. Let us know how you fared.
If you’re stuck for an answer, even after reading a hint, then just highlight the space between the brackets under the clue.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26792
A full review by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
I did enjoy this Mysteron Prize Puzzle – it didn’t take me long, hence the 1* difficulty – yes, I know lots of you found it harder but I have to rate as I solve! A great mix of clues, including the wonderful 21a which could well be a contender for my clue of the year so far. Continue reading “DT 26792”