Messinae – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 2459

Toughie No 2459 by Messinae

Hints and tips by Gazza

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

This was a thoroughly enjoyable puzzle with a number of chuckle-inducing clues (including one at 10a which I would have expected to find in Private Eye but probably not in the straitlaced Telegraph).

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Toughie 2419

Toughie No 2419 by Messinae

Hints and tips by Gazza

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

I’ve given this puzzle four stars for difficulty because although I didn’t have any great difficulty in coming up with the right answers I did struggle to understand the full ramifications of a few clues (notably 19a and 27a).… Continue reading

Toughie 2404

Toughie No 2404 by Messinae

Hints and tips by crypticsue

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BD Rating – Difficulty *Enjoyment ***

This took me exactly the same time to solve as the inside back-pager and so, for me anyway, that crossword’s 4.5* rating equates to a Toughie rating of 1* for this one.… Continue reading

Toughie 2363

Toughie No 2363 by Messinae

Hints and tips by Gazza

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

Although there were a number of clues that I liked there were also a number of niggles for me here so I’ve removed half a star from the enjoyment score.… Continue reading