Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26132
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
We have another enjoyable puzzle from Giovanni today, which I found a bit more difficult than usual, but not quite up to the 4 stars level. How did you find it?, how did it compare with yesterday’s?, is it the hardest of the week? – your comments, as always, are welcome and appreciated.
If you want to see an answer drag your cursor through the space between the brackets underneath the relevant clue.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26126
A Happy New Year
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Those of us feeling a trifle fragile after last night and hoping for a gentle easing into 2010 may find this one a trifle more difficult than hoped-for. It’s well up to Giovanni’s usual standard and is highly enjoyable, but the 13a clue may be a total mystery to anyone who is not into rugby.
As usual the answers are hidden inside the curly brackets – just highlight the white space inside to reveal.
May I take this opportunity to wish everyone – fellow bloggers, illustrious setters and all our readers – a Very Happy New Year. Let’s hope that this year brings as many enjoyable puzzles as last year.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 100001
Happy Christmas, Everybody
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
On this festive day there are, of course, no newspapers printed, so this puzzle exists only in cyberspace on the Clued Up site. I understand that it should be available even to non-subscribers, but I cannot verify this.
Based on a comment left by Rufus earlier in the week, we can take it that this is another of his, so that for the second day running the Maestro has produced a gentle puzzle with a seasonal theme, designed no doubt with the thought in mind that many solvers may have partaken of a small sherry and may not be in the best shape for deep thought.
I hope that you are all enjoying a peaceful and happy Christmas, and if you do have time to leave us a comment, we’d be delighted to read it.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26115
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Another Friday and another treat from Giovanni – how does he manage to produce the goods time after time?
For new readers – if you actually need to see an answer they are hidden inside the curly brackets under each clue, to prevent your seeing them accidentally. Just highlight the white space inside the brackets to reveal the answer.
We love getting your comments, so please keep them coming.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26109
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
We have another fine puzzle for Giovanni, probably not as tricky as last Friday’s but nevertheless a good workout.
Following the discussion on Wednesday’s blog about the style of the hints I have tried today not to reveal directly any part of the answers (except for the hidden contents of the curly brackets of course!). The result is, I think, more like the hints for the weekend prize puzzles than my usual reviews. I really need some feedback as to how you like it and which style you prefer – should I persevere with this method or revert to the old one? Note that if you click on any of the links you will still see (bits of) the answer.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26103
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
It’s Friday, so it’s Giovanni day and we have another excellent puzzle from many people’s favourite setter. As is often the case it was a couple of the short, four-letter, words which gave me most trouble – being a bit of a philistine in matters operatic, I had never heard of 1d, and I was held up for a while by 23d.
One of the main reasons for the vitality of this site is the contribution made by your comments, so please keep up the good work and let us know your views. We’re particularly keen to hear from regular readers who have yet to introduce themselves – now would be a good time to break your duck (sorry!, another cricket term).
As usual the answers are hidden so that you do not see them by accident. If you do want to see an answer, highlight the white space inside the curly brackets under the relevant clue.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26097
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
The Friday Cryptic is often the highlight of the week and, once again, Giovanni does not disappoint. It’s full of entertaining clues, but I did find it quite tricky – let us know whether you agree or not!
As usual the answers are hidden inside the curly brackets so that you cannot see them accidentally – just highlight the white space inside the brackets and say “abracadabra” to reveal one.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26091
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
We have another entertaining puzzle from our usual Friday setter. With most puzzles you find at least one or two surface readings which are a bit “iffy”, but Giovanni always produces beautifully smooth clues. I think that today he has a given us a puzzle which treads a fine line by being within the reach of novice solvers whilst posing enough of a challenge for the more experienced.
We always appreciate getting feedback from you, so if you’ve never left us a comment before, now is the time to introduce yourself!
As usual the answers are hidden inside the curly brackets – if you want to reveal one, just select the white space inside.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26085
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
We have a fairly difficult puzzle today with a couple of words new to me, but it’s very fair and entertaining in the usual Giovanni style. If you found this one tricky then I hope the hints help; if you found it a piece of cake, then try today’s Toughie – I guarantee that you won’t find that so easy!
As usual the answers are hidden so that you don’t see them by mistake. To reveal one, select the white space inside the curly brackets beneath the clue.
I think that this is the sort of puzzle that should generate lots of discussion – so let’s go for a good crop of comments!
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26079
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Giovanni is on form today and has given us an excellent puzzle with many entertaining clues. For those who normally have problems on a Friday, it is worth persevering with – there are a number of easier clues, such as 18a, 7d and 22d which should give you toeholds to get into it.
As usual the answers are inside the curly brackets for those who need them – just highlight the space inside the brackets.
We are, as always, reliant on your comments to keep the blog lively and entertaining – so please don’t disappoint.
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