The Numpties – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

EV 1608 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1608 (Hints)

More than Meets the Eye by Kcit

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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Kcit needs no introduction for EV solvers. Dave Hennings’ crossword database tells us that he has been setting them since 1993. We know he will give us a challenge with demanding clues, often with some musical connection.… Continue reading

EV 1606 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1606 (Hints)

Mind Your Language by Ovid

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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We have a new EV setter name: welcome to Ovid.  We met Ovid in a Magpie B crossword, ‘Pieces of Eight’ last year. Yet again for a debut crossword this is quite a challenging solve.… Continue reading

EV 1604 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1604 (Hints)

Protest by Cranberry

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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This will be Cranberry’s second EV and we see that he/she has also produced a couple of crosswords in the Inquisitor series. Like his/her first EV, Scratching The Surface, this is no cake walk..… Continue reading

EV 1600 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1600

Count by proXimal

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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With proXimal, we know that we have a familiar setter who also sets as eXternal in the IQ and Listener series (and combines with another setter as eXtent). You might know him as Artexlen in the FT and Boz in The Herald. Big Dave’s regulars will know him from Thursday/Friday Toughies and back-pagers, where he’s also normally put in Fridays (used to be Thursdays). With such a range of setting experience, you can be sure you are in safe hands. Continue reading “EV 1600 (Hints)”

EV 1599 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1599 (Hints)

Full Steam Ahead by X-Type

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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Dave Hennings’ Crossword Database tells us that this will be X-Type’s seventh EV crossword, previous ones being on I.K.Brunel’s bridges, global warming and the Beatles’ ‘I’ll Follow the Sun’. I know that he sets under at least one other pseudonym.… Continue reading

EV 1598 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1598 (Hints)

Action-packed by Eclogue

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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Eclogue set crosswords for all the thematic crossword outlets. This is their sixteenth in the EV series.

Preamble: Answers to five clues consisting of wordplay only are thematically connected to their entries.Continue reading

EV 1596 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1596 (Hints)

Directors by Kcit

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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Kcit needs no introduction for EV solvers. Dave Hennings’ crossword database tells us that he has been setting them since 1993. We know he will give us a challenge and probably teach us something new and this crossword is no exception to that.… Continue reading

EV 1594 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1594 (Hints)

Vicinities by Stick Insect

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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Stick insect is well into double figures for the EVs he has produced and solvers will be familiar with his Listener and Magpie puzzles too, and confident that there will be an entertaining endgame.… Continue reading

EV 1592 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1592 (Hints)

Warning by Gaston

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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This will be Gaston’s 26th EV crossword. He has been setting two or three a year for almost ten years, so you will probably have solved his crosswords before and know what a range of themes he handles – and that you are in good hands.… Continue reading

EV 1590 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1590

Anthology by Charybdis

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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Charybdis is a prolific setter for all the advanced thematic crossword outlets and I see on Dave Hennings’ Crossword Database that this will be his 27th EV so we can be sure that we are in competent hands.… Continue reading