Robyn – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3711

Toughie No 3711 by Robyn
Hints and tips by ALP

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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** Enjoyment ****

Well, what an unexpected treat: an all-too-rare Toughie from Robyn. Then again, he does have other fish to fry these days. Not the friendliest of portcullis grids but, heck, it is a Thursday and the clueing is, of course, delightful – largely gentle-ish and supremely logical. A soupçon of French, football and (boo!) AI. Only the exotic 12a gave me any real pain, but its building blocks are clear. I could easily have added an extra half on for that alone but, on checking the clock, a muscular two it is. The floor is yours … howl at me if you must!

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EV 1738 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1738 (Hints)

Cross Words by Robyn

Hints and tips by Phibs

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Telegraph regulars will recognize today’s setter as the deputy puzzles editor, using a pseudonym normally associated with his Toughies; he has set themed puzzles for several publications in years gone by under a different nom de guerre, including ten Listeners (three more than me), but as far as I can ascertain this is his first EV – if so, we extend a warm welcome to him.

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