Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
ProXimal is Steve Bartlett, who sets crosswords for The Independent as eXternal (which he first used in our NTSPP series), and for the Financial Times as arteXlen.
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
A slightly friendlier proXimal Toughie than some, presumably why we find him in the Thursday Toughie spot, which suited me because I quite often struggle with his more difficult Toughies.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
Splendid! Not overly difficult, and clever clues that are clever for all the right reasons.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ***/****
As often happens, I gained further appreciation of the puzzle on writing up the blog, when I could savour all the clues again.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ****
Dutch is on holiday this week, giving me a chance to review a puzzle by one of my favourite setters.
Not many setters seem to have grasped what solvers expect from a Toughie, but proXimal certainly has. I was sailing through this, one clue at a time, before I came to a grinding halt in the southwest corner, which is why I added an extra helf a star to the difficulty. With a compound anagram it can be difficult to spot what is going on, and I needed to solve 27a before having any chance of knowing which four-letter name was required in 24d. Continue reading “Toughie 2389”
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****
A very worthy Friday toughie. I’m in a bit of a rush today.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment *****
We have come to expect nothing but top quality puzzles from proXimal.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
Another most enjoyable puzzle from proXimal with some delightful clues.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Another very nice puzzle from proXimal, not stupidly hard, great surfaces, just my kind of thing – a great way to start the day.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ***/****
Fair, not overly difficult and enjoyable puzzle from proXimal today.… Continue reading
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment *****
Beautiful clueing by proXimal. After some initial staring at the grid, I found a foothold after which I progressed at a reasonable pace.… Continue reading