Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Hints and tips for completing Daily Telegraph Cryptic crosswords
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
The usual set of good clues – I’m doing this late, for which I apologise, so let’s get straight on. Imagine a 5-minute pause while I paste in the clue text.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ***
If you like your Toughies tough this one’s definitely for you… or was it just me? After 15 minutes I had only a handful of answers and wasn’t sure where the next was coming from. The problem seemed to be a fairly large number of long-ish clues and quite abstract surface readings which looked hard to break down but, as it turned out, the main difficulties were unusually presented (and occasionally questionable) wordplay indicators.
Although my enjoyment rating of three stars reflects the fact that not many clues were really satisfying to solve, there were some super ones as well, 29a probably being the pick of the bunch – this, and the others I liked, are shown in blue.
We really appreciate your comments, so please give us your thoughts on this puzzle. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
This is just about the easiest Giovanni crossword I can remember, so all of our usual correspondents should be able to finish it. As we always say, just because it’s relatively easy does not mean that it can’t be entertaining, and it has a fair number of clues which I enjoyed.
Let us know what you thought of it in a comment and please don’t forget to click on one of the stars at the bottom to show how you rate it.
For new readers, the answer to each clue is contained within the curly brackets beneath the clue, but masked out so that you can’t see it accidentally. If you do want to see the answer, just highlight the space between the brackets.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
This puzzle received a mixed reception. My own view is that, although there is room for improvement, the Saturday puzzles have come a long way in the last twelve months.
My advice to all setters, would be as follows: if the first draft of a new puzzle contains phrases like 9a and 14a, words that are in nobody’s vocabulary, boys or girls names, places other than major cities or countries, scrap the puzzle and start again!
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
A nicely constructed puzzle that contains one or two tricky little challenges that meant I probably spent a little more time on it than normal. The clues are beautifully constructed and have good surface readings. Thanks to Messinae for an enjoyable solving session.
As usual, the solutions are hidden within the squiggly brackets, and if you want to know the answers, highlight the space between the squiggles with your mouse to reveal all. Don’t forget that you can have your say after the blog as well, and you can rate the puzzle using the star system.
Off we go, before we face the end of the world from the Icelandic volcano. If the internet hasn’t been gummed up with volcanic detritus, I’ll see you soon.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment *
On mystery Thursday we have another mediocre puzzle that will probably please many of you. I counted, and have indicated, fourteen clues where all or part of the wordplay involve anagrams, and two hidden words. Once upon a time the Telegraph style guide used to recommend “a maximum of six anagrams per puzzle and only one hidden”.
I would like to repeat, for those who don’t seem to have bothered to read the disclaimer, that any statement, opinion, or view in relation to any person or organisation expressed in this post is purely personal to Big Dave.
You are welcome to disagree with anything I have written and friendly debate is strongly encouraged.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
Continue reading “DT 26215”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment **
I found this one tough going, in every sense, and not all that enjoyable. It just seemed a slog with only the occasional entertaining clue. A couple of the clues left me scratching my head as to how they were supposed to be cryptic, so if you can see more in them than I could, please let me know.
As always, we’re delighted to get your comments.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
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.]
Leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
Continue reading “DT 26214”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment **
I didn’t enjoy this one and was surprised when I found out that Kcit was the setter. I thought that a number of the clues were over-contrived in a way that couldn’t be justified by the surface reading. Maybe I should have done it before tackling today’s regular cryptic!
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought. You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Libellule has a theory that Ray T is trying to see how much he can get away with, and he’s certainly managed to smuggle a few risqué (for the Telegraph) clues pass the censor this time. The whole thing is highly entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed it – this week has got off to a cracking start. I’d really like to know your views, so please keep the comments coming.
As always the answer to each clue is concealed between the curly brackets beneath the clue – highlight the space between the brackets if you want to reveal it.