Toughie No 112 by MynoT
Difficult in places, but overall very enjoyable
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
The more of these puzzles that you do, the more you begin to appreciate them. This one had the handful of lesser-known words that seem to be mandatory these days, and a UK-centric term just to fool Dr b and any other Americans that might venture into Toughie territory!
Thanks to one of the regular ScrewUps on a well known site my account was deactivated yesterday, despite having 10 months to run on my subscription. I thought perhaps someone had been upset about the ScrewedUp News, but I was advised that this had happened to a number of people. I was reinstated ealier today, but I am running further behind than usual.
Continue reading “Toughie No 112”
Toughie No 111 by Citrus
Harder than yesterday, but then they all are!
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
This one is not all that tough as long as your copy of Chambers is not far away! I enjoyed the puzzle, and I learned a few new words, and a poem by Wordsworth. Continue reading “Toughie No 111”
Toughie No 110 by Jed
A very easy Toughie – have a go at this one!
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment **
I look forward four days a week to battling with the Toughie. This one was a pale impersonation of a Toughie, and was easier than the standard daily cryptic. Continue reading “Toughie No 110”
Toughie No 109 by Warbler
Hints and tips by Gazza
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
This one is not as difficult as yesterday’s. I was held up on 19d because I initially read the last word of the clue as TURN rather than TUM. It’s an easy mistake to make with lower-case letters, but I’ll have to get new glasses!
Continue reading “Toughie No 109”
Toughie No 108 by Excalibur
A difficult Toughie with some tenuous clues
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment **
I found this a difficult Toughie and, for me, it was spoilt by the tenuous nature of some of the clues. It’s always difficult when 1 across, often the key to open the whole puzzle, is as awkward as it has been today.
Continue reading “Toughie No 108”
Toughie No 107 by Shamus
Shamus sets another relatively easy puzzle
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
After yesterday’s epic, today we have a much easier, but nonetheless enjoyable puzzle. If you are new to Toughies, you should start with one like this. I should point out that the difficulty ratings that I give are relative to the type of puzzle, so three stars here would be at least four on a regular cryptic.
Continue reading “Toughie No 107”
Toughie No 106 by Elgar
A difficult but enjoyable puzzle
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
A difficult puzzle, with a phrase that spreads over three clues. This was made even more difficult online as the order of the second and third clues was not immediately obvious. I think the best way to tackle this particular puzzle is to complete the centre block of 6 clues and then work outwards from there, although 1 across and 2 down give a good foothold into the top part.
Continue reading “Toughie No 106”
Toughie No 105 by Giovanni
Hints and tips by Gazza
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
This is my first attempt at doing a write-up for a Toughie and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s got some challenging clues, as well as some easy ones, and doesn’t have too many obscure words.
Continue reading “Toughie No 105”
Toughie No 104 by Osmosis
A typical Toughie with some tricky wordplay
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
Several clues in this puzzle left me scratching my head for the wordplay, especially 1 down. One or two lesser known words, and an artist whose name is not particularly well known made for an awkward puzzle.
Continue reading “Toughie No 104”