Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3343 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg. Even living in Canada, I used to be comfortable with the idea that the Christmas season ‘started’ the day after the US Thanksgiving Holiday on the fourth Thursday of November, which is usually ‘close’ to the start of Advent, but the curmudgeon in me considers the fact that the season now starts within a few days of, or the day after, Halloween is just plain nuts.
For me, and I stress for me,© Dada friendly with two long ‘un, six anagrams (one partial), one lurker, and one homophone in a very asymmetric 28 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Continue reading “ST 3343 (Hints)”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31085 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by Gazza)
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I thought that this was a tiny bit trickier than we normally get on a Saturday but it is full of fun. Thanks to the setter.
I’m providing hints for what I consider to be some of the harder clues. If you’re really stuck on one of the clues I haven’t hinted I may provide a bit more help.
Continue reading “DT 31085 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 198
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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A generous (32 clues today) and not too tough for a Toughie, from Beam today. No multiple-word clues and no more than six words per clue, plenty of Beam trademarks, even though he has played a bit fast and loose with his sweetheart today.
I have hinted at half of an evenly balanced 16a and 16d clues today. I hope you find enough checkers to finish today, but I will possibly provide a nudge or two if asked.
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 198 (Hints)”
Enigmatic Variations 1720 (Hints)
Failure by Chalicea
Hints and tips by Phibs
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Hard on the heels of Curmudgeon’s Shambles, we have a Failure from her alter ego, Chalicea. I asked ChatGPT, “The theme of a crossword setter’s recent puzzle called ‘Shambles’ was the Charge of the Light Brigade. Their latest puzzle is called ‘Failure’, and apparently concerns the failure of a plan. What might that plan be?”
Continue reading “EV 1720 (Hints)”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3342 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg on this Remembrance Sunday where, courtesy of two Alberta Clippers in quick succession, we have had a couple of ‘dustings’ of fluffy white precipitation. And, oh dear, Santa is already building his grotto in at least one of the shopping malls in the city!
Thankfully, whatever it was that caused the delay in publishing yesterday’s puzzles did not reoccur. In fact, as often happens, today’s puzzles were available shortly after 11:30pm UK time (6:30pm in Winnipeg).
For me, and I stress for me,© Dada reasonably friendly with two long ‘un, seven anagrams (two partial), two lurkers (one reversed), and no homophones in a symmetric 28 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Continue reading “ST 3342 (Hints)”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31079 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by Gazza)
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I don’t think there’s too much doubt about the identity of today’s setter and he’s given us an enjoyable puzzle.… Continue reading
Sunday Toughie No 197
by Light
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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A great crossword from Light that I really enjoyed solving, even though some of the Latin parsing escaped me.
Some great surfaces and anagrams should give you the checkers to fill the grid. I have hinted at 13 of 28 clues, to be able to offer a nudge if you ask.
If you are considering coming to the Birthday Bash, a reminder that the date is now 31st January 2026
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 197 (Hints)”
Enigmatic Variations 1719 (Hints)
Inspired by Skylark
Hints and tips by Gabriel / Jpeg
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Skylark apparently has set an inspired puzzle for us. Is AI inspired by the preamble?… Continue reading
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3341 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where the term ‘wintry precipitation’ is beginning to be used in weather forecasts.
For me, and I stress for me,© to borrow the last word of 13d, Dada somewhat quirky. One long ‘un, seven anagrams (one partial), 1 lurker, and no homophones in a slightly asymmetric 29 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Continue reading “ST 3341 (Hints)”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31073 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)
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Continue reading “DT 31073 (Hints)”
