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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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.
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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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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 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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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”
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)!!
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Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2472
Selected hints by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
For the weekend prize crosswords I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them. A full analysis of this puzzle will be available at 12.00 next Thursday, February 26th.
Some hints to get you started: Continue reading “ST Cryptic No 2472 – Hints”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25858
Selected hints
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
We published a full review, by Libellule, of this puzzle yesterday when it was accidentally released online. As our policy here is to provide hints only for the weekend prize crosswords that review has been removed, and will be reposted at 12.00 next Thursday, February 26th. Instead I have selected a few hints from that review. This will mean that Peter Biddlecombe will have a week off and be back on Thursday, 5th March with a review of next Saturday’s puzzle.
Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25858 – Hints”
Toughie No 99 by Elgar
An excellent, challenging puzzle
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
This puzzle has 5 stars for both difficulty and enjoyment. I knew soon after starting that it was going to be a struggle, but as I opened up each clue, I began to enjoy the contest. I will be interested to know what Dr B, my American friend, makes of this one as some of the clues have a uniquely British flavour. As usual, the links provide additional content which is usually useful, occassionally totally frivolous.
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