Toughie No 3674 by Beam
Hints and Tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
A typical Beam crossword which only took a tiny bit longer to solve than one of his Thursday back pagers
Category: Beam
Beam is Ray Terrell, who also sets regular cryptics which are usually published on Thursdays
Sunday Toughie 221 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 221
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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I found this Toughie from Beam at the easier end of difficulty, but your experience may vary. I got an early start, as this was available at 23:18 last night, and although most of his trademark clues are here, we again have a slightly unusual Queen in 20d.
A generous 32 clues today and I have hinted half. I will try and give an extra nudge or two if required and able to do so.
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie 218 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 218 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 29th of March 2026
Toughie 3663
Toughie No 3663 by Beam
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***/****
Beam’s back with his usual flurry of synonyms, the Queen, a sweetheart, and – of course – no anagrams. Scant sauce though, so maybe he listened to Jane – of whom I know we are all thinking, especially having seen today’s latest update. Everything crossed.
Sunday Toughie 218 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 218
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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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 215 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 215 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 8th of March 2026
Sunday Toughie 215 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 215
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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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…
Toughie 3647
Toughie No 3647 by Beam
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment ***/****
It’s Beam, so you know what to expect – sweethearts, a Queen, a flurry of imaginative synonyms and no anagrams. Over to you.
Sunday Toughie 212 (Review)
Sunday Toughie No 212 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 15th of February 2026
Sunday Toughie 212 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 212
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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A generous 16a and 16d clues today, and I have hinted half, I hope you find the checkers to finish. I will try to give an extra nudge if you ask.
Mama Bee needs shopping, so I may be replying from the aisles. I will get back as soon as I am able.
Here we go, Folks…