Sunday Toughie No 195 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 19th October 2025
Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Sunday Toughie No 195 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 19th October 2025
Sunday Toughie No 196
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Whilst enjoying the Sloggers and Betters event in York, I was aware I still had a blog to prepare for this excellent offering from proXimal. Once the Spoonerism dropped, the rest flowed fairly easily despite the curry we rounded off the evening with, repeating on me.
We have 14a and 14d clues today, and I have hinted at half. I am sure a few tricky ones have hit the cutting room floor. I will try and give a bonus nudge or two if required, but I hope you get the checkers to complete this fine puzzle.
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie No 194 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 12th of October 2025
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 193 by Light
Review by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 5th October 2025 Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 193 (Review)”
Sunday Toughie No 194
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Beam is a little trickier than his last outing here (To Me™) but I stress again (27a) that is just right for a Sunday Toughie. Plenty of Beam trademarks and an economical sub-six words per clue. 14a and 16d clues today, and I have hinted half.
If asked, I will try and give a nudge, if you don’t get sufficient checkers to complete this fine puzzle
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie No 192 by proXimal
Review by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 28th of September 2025
Sunday Toughie No 193
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
I struggled to get going last night, but I think I can blame the woolly-headedness on the lingering cold that is slooowly releasing its grip on my nasal cavities.
I did like 7 and 8d, but I may be overthinking the archery link
A somewhat imbalanced 16a and 13d clues today, and I have hinted half(ish) I hope you get the checkers to finish, I will give a nudge or two if required.
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie No 191 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 21st September 2025
Sunday Toughie No 192
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
I seem to have come down with some lurgy or other, and I may have to retire to bed. Apologies if the hints are a bit terse today,
We have 16a and 14d clues, and I have hinted half. I found the Spooner today quite difficult and the proXimal™ compounds a bit easier. I have left the last of three unhinted, in order to give a nudge to the 13a anagram.
Between paracetamol and naps I will be hoping Europe make light work of at least 2 1/2 points to retain The Ryder Cup. I will provide hints if you ask.
Here we go, Folks…
Hello, compiler here. Thanks very much for taking the time to solve, analyse and discuss.
I hope you might take a look at this weekend’s Sunday Toughie. I was in Yorkshire last month visiting Chris Lancaster, the Telegraph Puzzles Editor, and I had a newly-filled grid which I asked him to print out for me so I could write clues on the train journey home. Chris kindly did, and then immediately started suggesting ideas for clues. The upshot is, there are several clues in the Sunday Toughie that originated with Mr Lancaster. I’m pretty sure one of them will be the favourite clue of the day — an absolute corker (which I can say because it wasn’t my idea). Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks again for the feedback today. Have a great weekend.
14a, 1d, 2d and 19d were fighting it out for my podium, but I am not going to try and guess which clues Zandio is referring to; I enjoyed them all. I would like to have hinted many more, but the convention on prize puzzles limits me to about half hints. Even the Spoonerism missed the cut today (btw it is Russian)
We have 14a and 16d clues today, and I have hinted at half. Several lurkers that may trap the unwary and anagrams, including an &lit anagram, missed the cut, too.