Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Hints and tips for completing the regular Daily Telegraph Cryptic crosswords
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
It has been long established that the Telegraph, with occasional exceptions, used the same setter each week for any given day. Recently it has been obvious that this no longer applies – I cannot believe that this puzzle was from the same source as last week’s travesty. This one is not only easier than a week ago, but much more enjoyable.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
This is a decent, solid puzzle which left me feeling just slightly disappointed because there are no really witty clues to make me laugh. Am I being over-critical and expecting too much? What do you think? – leave us a comment!
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
The usual amiable start from the Monday Maestro with the usual smattering of cryptic definitions and clever wordplay. Lots of double definition clues today. I have to say that I feel that a couple of the cryptic definitions are not as strong as usual and seem a bit forced.
As usual, the “blank bits” between the curly brackets will give you the solution if you highlight it.
I would also welcome your comments, plaudits or brickbats below..
Continue reading “DT 25937”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
Another relatively tricky Friday crossword. With a mixed bag of clues, some good some bad.
•
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Another mixed bag of a Saturday puzzle for me. The grid is rather perverse. Combining 14-letter answers with the two 15-letter acrosses is a nice idea, but done a bit hamfistedly, making double unches (start of 7D, end of 17D), and although the 3 of 7 checking letters in these answers were uncommon enough to make these answers pretty clear, the double unches are not impressive. We also get four 5-letter answers with 2 letters checked, though again the checking letters for them are relatively helpful. The clues are generally good – I seem to be grumbling less than usual below – though the last one was disappointing.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
This is a good, solid puzzle with some nice surface readings. I always think that if you are amused by the first clue across, which was the case for me here, then you are pre-disposed to like the whole puzzle.
‘
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment *
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Once more we have an excellent Tuesday puzzle with some very entertaining surface readings. The layout of the grid encourages you to solve one corner at a time, and I was proceeding quite well until I reached the South-East corner which held me up for a while.
Can I point out to new readers (and to regular readers who have not yet read Big Dave’s FAQ!) that the curly brackets associated with each clue are not just there for artistic embellishment – the answer is hidden inside them, and if my hints are insufficient to give you the answer you can reveal it by selecting the space inside the brackets.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
One weak one this time round, with a couple of surplus articles, but nothing major to write home about.
.
.
.
.
Continue reading “DT 25931”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
A tricky crossword today, but with some very good clues.
