Sunday Toughie No 218 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 29th of March 2026
Category: Sunday Toughie Crosswords
Sunday Toughie 219 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 219
by Silvanus
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
A Happy Easter to you all, I am celebrating with this;
In this crossword, from my Four C’s (Coffee, Cycling, Crosswords and Cheese) I am only missing the last one. Although I suppose 14a is on the way there.
A bit of a surprise to see Silvanus here, when I opened this last night, but a pleasant one. Despite not fully understanding 3d I really enjoyed it and I hope you do too. 14a and 16d clues, and I have hinted a very subjective half. If you are still struggling, I will try to give an extra nudge or so if asked.
A reminder to let me know if you are interested in the forthcoming Mid-Year Bash All are welcome, and it should be a good time.
Does anyone else remember 23d and Booster? I have been on a nostalgia fest
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie 217 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 217 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 22nd March 2026
Sunday Toughie 218 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 218
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Only slightly harder than the last from Beam, and that may be just due to losing an hour’s sleep last night. A typical Beam puzzle, well under 6 words per clue, single word answers, a variation on his usual sweetheart and an initial letters to finish.
A reminder to let me know if you are interested in the forthcoming Mid-Year Bash All are welcome, and it should be a good time.
14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half, I hope you find the checkers to finish, but I will try and give a nudge or two if required/asked.
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie 216 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 216 by Light
Review by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on 15th March 2026 Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 216 (Review)”
Sunday Toughie 217 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 217
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
We haven’t had Zandio here since #207, and judging by some of his recent backpagers, I expected a tougher time. This went smoothly with only a few 2d’s or quid pro quo’s for parsing.
16a and 14d clues and I have hinted half. In order to sprinkle them evenly around the grid I have left a few of the trickier clues unhinted. I will try and give a nudge or two if you ask.
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie 215 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 215 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 8th of March 2026
Sunday Toughie 216 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 216
by Light
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
It is Light’s turn to have two Prize Puzzles this weekend. If yesterday was his 100th puzzle for The Telegraph is this his 101st? I don’t know for sure, as they may count the anonymous back pagers differently from Toughies. This is definitely his 14th Sunday Toughie as Light and with 8 so far in the other toughie, that leaves at least 79 anonymous backpage puzzles that have entertained us since he graduated from these shores. An impressive output in such a short time.
Anagrams and double definitions have hit the cutting room floor today, and don’t forget the maxim: When in doubt…
14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted at half. I will try and provide a nudge or two if you ask, but as it is Mother’s Day, my normal Coffee and Cake outing with Mama Bee will probably be Betty’s rather than the local Caffè Nero, I may take a little longer to reply
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie 214 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 214 by proXimal
Review by
Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on the 1st March 2026
The publication of the result contains the line;
The answer to 27a is misspelt. We apologise for the error.
Well done to J De Bruyn, Sheffield for winning
Sunday Toughie 215 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 215
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Beam has provided a very pleasant and not too tough Toughie today. I was pleased to have something a little easier than last week’s, as no matter what tricks I used, I couldn’t get the puzzle until 00:10
Beam has brought us a generous and symmetric 16a and 16d clues today. When selecting the clues to hint, I found that the across selection was equally symmetric, so I let that guide an equally symmetric selection of downs. That may have left a few of the trickier clues unhinted, so I will endeavour to help with a bonus hint or two if you ask.
All the Beam™ trademarks are there, sweetheart, the Queen, single word answers and no anagrams. I spotted quite a few definitions by example? hence the question marks. I expect you will find the checkers to finish, as this was much more straightforward than last week.
Here we go, Folks…