Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Sunday Toughie No 203 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 14th December 2025
I hope this isn’t out a day early – Gazza has assured me that this puzzle closed for entries at 9:00am.
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A rather gentle toughie from Zandio, I thought, but YMMV.
14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted at half. I hope you find the checkers to finish this. As ever I am unable to hint all of this prize puzzle, but I will try and give a nudge or two if I can.
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 199 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 16th November 2025
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Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 195 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 19th October 2025
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Hello, compiler here. Thanks very much for taking the time to solve, analyse and discuss.
I hope you might take a look at this weekend’s Sunday Toughie. I was in Yorkshire last month visiting Chris Lancaster, the Telegraph Puzzles Editor, and I had a newly-filled grid which I asked him to print out for me so I could write clues on the train journey home. Chris kindly did, and then immediately started suggesting ideas for clues. The upshot is, there are several clues in the Sunday Toughie that originated with Mr Lancaster. I’m pretty sure one of them will be the favourite clue of the day — an absolute corker (which I can say because it wasn’t my idea). Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks again for the feedback today. Have a great weekend.
14a, 1d, 2d and 19d were fighting it out for my podium, but I am not going to try and guess which clues Zandio is referring to; I enjoyed them all. I would like to have hinted many more, but the convention on prize puzzles limits me to about half hints. Even the Spoonerism missed the cut today (btw it is Russian)
We have 14a and 16d clues today, and I have hinted at half. Several lurkers that may trap the unwary and anagrams, including an &lit anagram, missed the cut, too.
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 191 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 21st September 2025
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A very clever Sunday Toughie I really enjoyed solving last night, some typical Zandio Roman numbers and some great PDMs. The linked 14a and 18a are a particular favourite, along with 27a, but 24a gets the gold today. What were your favourites?
14a and 14d clues today, and I have hinted at half. I hope you find the checkers to fill the grid, and I will give a nudge or two if required, and entertaining Mama Bee permits.
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 186 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 17th August 2025
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Almost forgot a pre-amble, An even 14a and 14d clues and I have hinted half. I hope you find the checkers to finish.
I will provide a bonus nudge if needed, not that I expect you will. This tripped off the laptop in a rather brisk fashion.
Here We Go…
Not too tricky today from Zandio. A good meal to start, and more to eat and sup as we go.
I am going to favour the topical 7d from a long list of contenders. Which ones did you like?
I hope you find the checkers to cross the line (11a). 14 across and 14d clues today and I have hinted half. I may be able to give a bonus nudge if asked.