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.
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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”
Toughie No 725 by Shamus
Hints and tips by Bufo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I thought this was more back-page standard than Toughie standard. I’d never heard of 14 down but it was easy enough to work out from the wordplay and it took me a bit of thought to unravel the wordplay at 17 down. Otherwise I had no problems whatsoever.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26796
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
I thought that today’s Ray T puzzle was a little harder than usual – or maybe I was distracted as we are having the loft insulated (for free!).
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Toughie No 724 by Elkamere
And so say all of us
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
If you’ve read the blog in the last week or so you can’t have failed to notice the celebrations around the eightieth birthday of our regular back-page setter, Rufus. Well today is the actual day and Elkamere has produced a superb tribute packed with references to his life and many accomplishments. I’ve tried to point out the references but if I’ve missed any I’m sure you’ll let me know.
Please tell us what you thought of the puzzle and take the time to record your enjoyment factor by clicking on one of the stars below.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26795
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I was supposed to send this puzzle to Falcon so that he could write the review, but I had an early night instead! There’s a hint of Lent about the puzzle – possibly more so than I have identified.
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Toughie No 723 by Excalibur
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment *
No comment from me, but please feel free to leave your own comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26794
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
The Tuesday puzzle is always an adventure – there seem to be at least three (possibly more) regular setters so I’m never sure what I’m going to get to blog. I thought that this was a mixture with some amusing clues but with a couple of dodgy surfaces. Let us in on your thoughts.
To reveal an answer highlight the space between the brackets under the clues.
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