Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26214
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Another good puzzle from Jay, although I do have issues with two of the clues (see 25a and 8d). I was surprised as Jay’s clues are usually scrupulously accurate. [It seems that I may have been wrong on one or both, but missed a possible problem with 24a! See annotations below.]
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26208
Hints and tips by Tilsit
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
Another Wednesday, another pleasant puzzle from our regular setter. As usual, there’s not too much in the way of awkward stuff but there are one of two things to make you think a little.
As usual, have your say after the analysis. The answers are contained inside the curly brackets after each clue and can be highlighted to reveal the solution. You can also click in the stars after the blog to give your verdict on the puzzle.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26202
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
The usual great stuff from Jay – and I don’t want to hear any excuses from the Clueless Club today.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26196
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Other setters may be easier, harder, more elegant, more devious but Jay continues to provide one of the best puzzles of the week.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26190
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
The biggest hint I can give is to check today’s date before starting this one. Another entertaining puzzle from Jay, with a topical theme.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26184
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A very straightforward puzzle today. With a little persistence this one should be achievable by the average solver.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26178
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
The usual Wednesday fare from Jay. Comparatively easy and scrupulously fair. Let’s hope the Clueless Club members enjoy this one!
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26172
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Once again Jay delivers an excellent puzzle in the Telegraph genre.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26166
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Jay’s puzzles are probably those that fit the Telegraph genus best. Seldom difficult, often amusing, occasionally irritating, but always fair. As Libellule has commented previously, each one does precisely what it says on the can!
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26160
Container, contents and charades
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
Tilsit is back at the hospital this morning, but this time as the courier not the patient. On hearing this Prolixic made an offer that was difficult for me to refuse – and one that by now he might be regretting – and has written today’s blog. BD
Today’s crossword is brought to you courtesy of the letter C. Most of the clues are charades (add two words together) or container and content clues (put one word inside another) with very little other variety in the clues. Those looking for lots of full blown anagrams will be disappointed. This lack of variety reduced the enjoyment of the puzzle for me.
Although there is a lot of repetition, our Wednesday Wizard is, as ever, fair in his cluing and there are some nice surface readings.
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