Crosswords – Page 1152 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

DT Cryptic No 25863

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25863

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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

Today’s puzzle was a bit harder than usual, and I struggled with some of the wordplay.  In yesterday’s Toughie I tried out a new idea for giving the answers without spoiling the rest of the crossword, and I have tried it here today.  Essentially, the answers are between curly brackets in white type – selecting them with the mouse will reveal the answer.  Please let me know if you like it.

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ST Cryptic No 2472 – Review

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2472 – Review

A full analysis by Big Dave

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment **

Writing up the Sunday puzzles is a very frustrating job.  They tend to be difficult to finish, although this one was easier than most, but then you are left with the feeling of annoyance at some of the clues, which spoils any enjoyment you might have received from some of the others.  This one has more of the annoying clues and less of the enjoyable ones. Continue reading “ST Cryptic No 2472 – Review”

DT Cryptic No 25858 – Review

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25858 – Review

A full analysis by Libellule

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

As many of you are aware, this crossword was accidentally released on the CluedUp website last Friday.  Although it was subsequently replaced by the correct Friday puzzle, this was not before Libellule had reviewed it for us.  Here is that review, revised to give all of the answers.  BD

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Toughie No 102

Toughie No 102 by Messinae

If you can do the regular cryptic then try this one today

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

So you think the Toughie is too difficult for you; well, this one is a little harder than the regular cryptics, but a good one on which to cut your teeth.

I am trying  out a new technique for displaying “spoiler” information on 5 down and 12 down – if you highlight the blank space between the brackets this will reveal the answer.  Let me know what you think of this – it could satisfy the problem of looking for one answer and accidentally viewing another.

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DT Cryptic No 25862

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25862

Today’s hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

It’s Thursday today, so Gazza’s back again.  Don’t forget that the full analyses for last weekend’s puzzles are due to be published at noon.  You may have already seen the Saturday review as it was released last Friday after being published online by mistake; some small revisions have been applied, mostly to give all the answers as well as the wordplay.   BD

I thought that this was an entertaining crossword with some interesting clues and not too difficult, though it does contain one word I’d never heard of.

  Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25862”

Toughie No 101

Toughie No 101 by Firefly

Firefly sets another very enjoyable puzzle

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

This is the latest in a run of good Toughie crosswords.  Not so Tough that you can’t finish it, but it gives you a warm glow of satisfaction when you do.  Don’t forget that the linked items usually contain information related to the answer – sometimes you may need to look at the url (the bit that starts http://).

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DT Cryptic No 25861

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25861

Hints and tips by Libellule

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

Libellule thinks that going to watch France play Wales in Paris is more important than his Friday blog.  I’m sure you would all rather he missed the game, but as a penance he has agreed to do today’s instead.   BD

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Toughie No 100

Toughie No 100 by Myops

The landmark 100th Toughie lived up to its name

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

Was it as good as last Friday’s?  Not quite, but a good puzzle nevertheless.  I found it difficult to get started, and had to fight my way out of the bottom right-hand corner.

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DT Cryptic No 25860

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25860

Today’s hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

It seems you all like Gazza’s hints and tips, so I’ve twisted his arm and he’s agreed to do two days a week, starting today, and then back on Thursday.  I’ve added a few new bits and pieces to The Mine – Birthstones, Roman Numerals and Zodiac Signs – with more in the pipeline.  BD

Today’s puzzle is quite interesting and certainly a bit harder than yesterday’s. There’s one clue (24 across) where I’m unable to provide a very satisfactory explanation of the wordplay and I’d be grateful for comments [stop press – mystery now solved – see clue below] Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25860”

DT Cryptic No 25859

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25859

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

Once again you have a nice easy start to the week, with this honest, straightforward puzzle.  Try and do as much of this as you can without my help (but don’t put me out of business)!!

Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25859”