Enigmatic Variations 1685 (Hints)
Entry by Craft
Hints and tips by Gabriel
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For me Craft is a new setter, at least of the EV series. But I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong. Perhaps it’s an alternate identity of a well-established compiler. In any event, I must say the title didn’t provide much context. The preamble does indicate parenthetically something “broken” – perhaps that’s a way in (apropos “entry”)?
I didn’t bother Gemini – who’s probably obsessing about “Majorana fermions” anyway as I was when I solved this and doesn’t have time for cryptic archaeology. Unclear whether understanding topological quantum computing would help me with ENTRY or not. To be honest, I didn’t understand it.
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NTSPP 787 – Review by StephenL
Madcap is in this week’s spot with a typically clever and entertaining puzzle. Thanks to him
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Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3307 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where at some time in the middle of the night we had to go through the annual nonsense of advancing our clocks by one hour for reasons that no-one can seem to remember and are probably now invalid. … Continue reading
A Puzzle by Madcap
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Daily Telegraph Prize Cryptic No 30869
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
I am a very late stand-in for Cryptic Sue who has no Wi-Fi today. … Continue reading
Toughie No 3440 by Elgar
Hints and Tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty *****+ – Enjoyment ***
The Nina round the edge of the grid sums up what a lot of people are bound to say about this Elgar Toughie.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30863
A full review by crypticsue
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This puzzle was published on 1st March 2025
BD Rating –Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
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Toughie No 3439 by Beam
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
I thought that this was about as gentle as Toughies get. Agree or disagree? – do let me know.
Thanks to Beam for the challenge.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30867
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
What’s going on?! This is clearly not the work of either Silvanus or RayT. I need to go and have a lie-down. I’m not sure I can continue to blog with such uncertainty! I jest, of course. A change is as good as a rest, I suppose. As soon as I solved 22a, I was on the lookout for a pangram, but unless I am missing something, I cannot see a J or an X in the completed grid. Perhaps that may give us a hint as to who has set this elegant challenge?
I got off to a flying start as both 1a and 1d went straight in, but it was not all plain sailing after that. I needed to check the spelling of 20a, despite having enjoyed it at our local Indian restaurant on several occasions. Care also needed to be taken when spelling 8d.
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 setter.
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