February 27, 2026 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3644

Toughie No 3644 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza

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

An enjoyable but quite tough puzzle from Sparks today with several answers which I needed to verify. Sparks often gives us something extra in the grid – the only thing I can see today is that many answers start with E and there are two big E-shapes in the grid. Can you spot anything else?
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DT 31174

Daily Telegraph
No 31174
Hints and tips by ALP

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

I’m standing in for Mr K so I’m afraid there will be no cats. I remain traumatised by them after watching Doctor Who getting chased through London’s sewers by giant rats back in 1977. Our old tom was equally terrified and promptly pounced on my head before coughing up hot milk all over me. Happily, there are no such horrors today, simply smart but fair wordplay and fizzy surfaces. Just no cats! All yours.

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DT 31169 (Full Review)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31169

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 21st February 2026

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Kolkata. A delighted, lovely Saturday puzzle from the setter that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31169 (Full Review)”