July 2026 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3715

Toughie No 3715 by Dharma
Hints and tips by ALP

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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty **/*** Enjoyment ****/*****

A rumbustious return from Dharma, full of his typical humour and honed surfaces, prompting a slow start but a quick finish. I found many of the downs marginally easier than the acrosses but that’s possibly because I had all the checkers by then – being pathetically English, I do like to doggedly work from top to bottom. Other methods are, of course, available. Hopefully, my 2.5 will find safer harbour than usual … the floor is yours to trumpet your agreement!

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DT 31281

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31281

Hints and Tips by Senf

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BD Rating – Difficulty 1.5* – Enjoyment 5*

A very good Thursday morning from Winnipeg where, oh dear, after several weeks of suggestions ‘floating around’ news media and the internet, it was confirmed yesterday  that, starting next year, Canada will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, oh dear again!

For me, and I stress for me© (I have to say that for Terence), there is no doubt that this is the work of a very benevolent Master of Brevity.  The usual one word clues and answers in the Quickie, and an appearance from the Queen, Ray T’s swEetheart, but not the plain sweetheart, in the back pager with an average of 5.25 words per clue.  Also, like Dada, Ray T still seems to be making occasional use of a personal thesaurus.  I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!

Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!

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DT 31280

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31280
Hints and Tips by Deansleigh

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BD Rating – Difficulty **  Enjoyment ****

Good morning everyone, and welcome to the midweek back-pager blog.  I found today’s crossword to be about the same level of difficulty as the previous two days’ puzzles, with plenty to admire and appreciate.  I particularly liked 11a, 2d and 12d, but my clue of the day is 4d, as it mentions the lead singer in one of my favourite bands.  I also enjoyed the Quickie pun, once the penny dropped.  Many thanks to our setter.

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ST 3374 (Full Review)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3374

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 21st June 2026

BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Kolkata. A truly superb puzzle from Dada this Sunday that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of his puzzle for your kind perusal and valuable feedback. Continue reading “ST 3374 (Full Review)”