Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Toughie No 3396 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****
We can rely on Osmosis to give us a proper Toughie and I always enjoy the challenge he offers. There are no anagrams and no obvious gimmes (except 2d) here and each answer needs to be prised out. Thanks to the setter.
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BD Rating - Difficulty *** - Enjoyment ****
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. Today we have a very enjoyable puzzle combining precise cryptic grammar, smooth surfaces, and a shoutout to a Scottish football team, ingredients which likely identify today’s setter. I hope he drops in later. Continue reading "DT 30802"
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This puzzle was published on 14th December 2024
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata.… Continue reading
Toughie No 3395 by Kcit
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment **/***
I’m thankful that I’ve got a shortcut in Word for the word ‘abbreviation’ because there are an awful lot of them here. The puzzle didn’t pose any great problems and really belongs at the start of the week rather than on a Thursday. Thanks to Kcit.
Continue reading “Toughie 3395”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30801
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Either I was on the setter’s wavelength from the start, or this was one of the gentlest Thursday crosswords that I have blogged. I shall let you be the judge of that. I spent most of the puzzle convincing myself that this was not the work of RayT, but then I came across the sweetheart in 25a and the Queen (albeit in a different guise) in 20d and all was well with the world. RayT it is. If we needed any more persuading, the average word count at 5.3 words/clue gives the game away. Interestingly (or not, you can decide!) all are single word solutions, but this is probably more a reflection on the grid rather than any intent of the part of our learned setter.
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle. Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.
Thank you, Ray. Another lovely puzzle.
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment **
A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg where the snow continues to accumulate.… Continue reading
Sunday Toughie No 150 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 8th of December 2024
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This puzzle was published on 8th December 2024
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***