Artix – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3332

Toughie No 3332 by Artix
Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ****Enjoyment ***

It was a pleasure to see the name of Artix when I printed off the puzzle this morning. He’s not at his most tricky here but it’s an enjoyable Friday Toughie.

Artix regularly incorporates a theme in his puzzles and, just as regularly, I fail to spot it. I look forward to someone explaining today’s to me.

Please leave a comment telling us how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle.
Continue reading “Toughie 3332”

Toughie 3235

Toughie No 3235 by Artix
Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ****Enjoyment ****

Artix has given us a proper Toughie today with plenty of scope for going astray. I enjoyed the battle – thanks to Artix.

There are a lot of old American entertainers referenced in the clues – I wonder whether that can be regarded as a mini-theme.

Please leave a comment telling us how you fared and what you liked about the puzzle. Continue reading “Toughie 3235”

Toughie 3131

Toughie No 3131 by Artix
Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ****Enjoyment ****


A proper ‘tough’ Toughie from Artix which I progressed through steadily rather than speedily and enjoyed the whole process a lot – thanks to the setter.
Continue reading

Toughie 3059

Toughie No 3059 by Artix
Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ****Enjoyment ***

At first sight this looked pretty daunting but gradually it all came together (though more or the answers than I would have liked were written from the definition and checkers and then required post hoc rationalisation).Continue reading