Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Hints and tips for completing Daily Telegraph Cryptic crosswords
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
You have to work to get the answers in this very enjoyable puzzle. One or two clues have wordplay that takes a bit of unravelling, but there is nothing here that is beyond the capabilities of the average Toughie solver.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
This is another decent puzzle from our normal Tuesday setter, whose trademark is to have only single-word answers. Some will decry the layout of the grid, with each of the corners pretty isolated – but look on the bright side, you get four puzzles for the price of one!
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *
Unfortunately Tilsit is not well enough to review today’s puzzle. After doing it, I know how he feels! I looked through to see if I could say a few nice words about it.
Don’t forget the Clue of the Week competition – cast your vote now. I don’t think I will be putting any of today’s forward for this week.
Tilsit hopes to be back later this week, and I’m sure you will join me in wishing him well again soon.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
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, 7th May.
Some hints to get you started:
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
Peter Biddlecombe’s full review of this puzzle will be published at 12.00 on Thursday, 7th May.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment *****
Elgar has consistently set Toughies that are Tough, and this one is no exception. To say that is easier than some of Elgar’s previous puzzles doesn’t mean it is easy. For those that do battle with this puzzle, the reward is in the satisfaction of completing it. But don’t worry if you get stuck – you can find all of the answers here.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
I found this one to be a lot harder than the other crosswords this week. Either I was having a bad day, or this really was more difficult. Comments appreciated.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Sundays may never be the same again! Another very enjoyable puzzle which, although not difficult, leaves you feeling satisfied – unless of course you liked the strange clues and odd construction that used to be the norm!
It seems that the change in style is linked to a whole new approach to the Sunday puzzles in general – although printing one prize puzzle on the back of another is something that the Puzzles Editor should perhaps rethink! I have asked for guidance on the admissibility of copies of prize puzzles, and will let you all know when I get it. Continue reading “ST Cryptic No 2481 – Review”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
The best thing about this puzzle for me was the set of answers – these make a pangram (all letters of the alphabet appear at least once). Some tricky letters appear several times – there are 3 Zs and 4 Vs for example. The bad things for me were a couple of the selections for answers, and some clues that were either not very cryptic or could lead to more than one answer. Some will be delighted to see no obscure place names in this puzzle.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
Much irritation to start the day, on-line solving access to the Toughie is not available at midnight . As I have no printer access, I have to draw up my own grid and solve from the clues on screen.
There was much to be admired in today’s puzzle, but there were one or two quite major queries for me. I really didn’t like 1 across and I am really unsure of the definition of 12 across. I have also given up on 21 across after it nearly reacted with my sleeping medication to give me hallucinations.
I’d like to nominate 26 across as this puzzle’s entry into Clue of the Week. Certainly made me smile.
Thanks to Firefly for an enjoyable and thought-provoking challenge.
