Kitty – Page 3 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Author: Kitty

Kitty is on a short break from providing hints for the Tuesday Toughies. Sadly, work commitments have made blogging on weekdays very difficult. Meanwhile, Kitty can still be seen at weekends: over on Fifteensquared blogging some Independent and Enigmatic Variations puzzles, and on Times for The Times with a few of the Times Cryptic Jumbos.

Toughie 2144

by Kitty  

Toughie No 2144 by Dada

Hints and tips by Kitty

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

 

Hello everyone.  It’s the last Tuesday until you-know-what, and so in case you’re otherwise engaged on the day, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

We have another puzzle from the Dada of crossword setters.  I found it considerably more accessible than his first few Sunday Telegraph puzzles, but a sackful of fun.  Continue reading “Toughie 2144”

Toughie 2140

by Kitty  

Toughie No 2140 by MynoT

Hints and tips by Kitty

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BD Rating  –  Difficulty ** –  Enjoyment ***

 

Hi all, and a happy Tuesday to you.  When 1a went straight in, followed by almost all of the crossing downs, I feared this might not mount much of a challenge.  However, things slowed down towards the SW and I took a usual Tuesday Toughie kind of time in the end, and enjoyed myself along the way.

Continue reading “Toughie 2140”

Toughie 2136

by Kitty  

Toughie No 2136 by Musaeus

Hints and tips by Kitty

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

 

Hi everyone.  I hope life is treating you well.  The new week of Toughies kicks off with a Musaeus puzzle, his fourth in this series.  For the most part, things went along in a manner typical of a puzzle at the gentler end of (although on) the Toughie spectrum, but I had a real tussle with a few.  After dithering over the ratings, I split the difference.  Similarly for enjoyment: I found this inventive and a bit different and was really enjoying it, but while staring at the last answers with unhelpful checking letters, my inner grump may have voiced a few things which I won’t publish here!  I’ll concede enough to Miss Grumpitty to mention that four five-letter answers had only two checked letters, and those were all vowels.

Continue reading “Toughie 2136”

Toughie 2132

by Kitty  

Toughie No 2132 by Chalicea

Hints and tips by Kitty

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

 

A big warm fluffy welcome to you all.  Today’s puzzle in the Toughie slot is one of those I’m happy to recommend to back page solvers.  A couple of unfamiliar words for me didn’t slow down the gridfill or dent the enjoyment.

Continue reading “Toughie 2132”

Toughie 2128

by Kitty  

Toughie No 2128 by Dada

Hints and tips by Kitty

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty */** -  Enjoyment ***/****

 

Hi everyone.  We have another puzzle from a setter who can write these things almost faster than I can solve them.  It took me a little while to get into this but then things flowed.  As always, plenty to enjoy.

Continue reading "Toughie 2128"

Toughie 2119

by Kitty  

Toughie No 2119 by Notabilis

Hints and tips by Kitty

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

 

Hello and Happy Friday!  Dutch’s generosity means I have the pleasure today of blogging a lovely puzzle by one of my favourite setters. … Continue reading

Toughie 2108

by Kitty  

Toughie No 2108 by Dada

Hints and tips by Kitty

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

 

Hi all.  We have today a frisky puzzle by a setter who is always entertaining and who manages to maintain an impressive output. … Continue reading