April 2023 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Sunday Toughie 66 (Hints)

Sunday Toughie No 66 by Robyn

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

I am feeling a bit delicate today with a vicious headache and body aches that I hope is just a cold.

I have hinted half of an even 14a and 14d clues, and hope you find enough checkers to fill the grid

I made hard going with this and 15a didn’t get a hint as I am not sure I fully understand it unless Bill is Shakespeare and we have much ado about nothing

I am returning to bed to try and shake this lurgy as this time next week I will be in Dublin for the Bruce Springsteen concert, I believe Gazza will be on hinting duties

 

Here we go…

Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 66 (Hints)”

EV 1588 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1588 (Hints)

Clash by Ranunculus

Hints and tips by The Numpties

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

This will be Ranunculus’ eleventh EV crossword. If you sometimes consult these hints, you will also know him as Phibs who writes the hints every second week. You may also encounter his crosswords under the name of Triton in the IQ, Paddock for the Listener or Phylax in the Magpie.… Continue reading

ST 3210 (Hints)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3210 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where we have changed over from Colorado Lows to Alberta Clippers, at least they provide liquid precipitation and don’t last very long.

As a polite reminder, and for those of you who have not looked it up yet, on Friday Cryptic Sue referenced Comment Etiquette No 3 which says ‘Don’t blame the setter just because you are unable to solve a puzzle’ and remember, consulting the hints before commenting can be beneficial!… Continue reading

Toughie 3052

Toughie No 3052 by Sparks

Hints and tips by Dutch

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

A not-overly-difficult and very enjoyable puzzle by Sparks. I did notice something interesting about all the across clues (and 6 of the down ones, but that is largely as a consequence)

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.… Continue reading

DT 30281 (full review)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30281

A full review by Rahmat Ali

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

This puzzle was published on 22nd Apr 2023

BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Kolkata. A friendly and very straightforward Saturday puzzle from X-Type that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and precious feedback.Continue reading

Toughie 3051

Toughie No 3051 by Silvanus
Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Many thanks to Silvanus for a most enjoyable puzzle.

Please leave a comment telling us how you fared and what you thought of the puzzle. Continue reading “Toughie 3051”

DT No 30285

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30285

Hints and tips by StephenL

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

Good morning everyone from a dull and grey South Devon coast. Never mind, another Thursday week rolls around and we have a super puzzle by The King of Concise to brighten up the skies.

Continue reading “DT No 30285”