Sunday Toughie No 132
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Zandio returns with a Sunday Toughie that wasn’t much trickier than his Friday back pager. 13d caused some disturbance in the smooth passage through this crossword but I still managed to slip off to the land of nod before 1am
We have 14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half, some tricky clues have had to go unhinted so a nudge may be available if required
11a was my favourite clue today – what was yours?
Here we go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 132 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 129
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Zandio taking it eas(ier) today, I managed to get hold of the puzzle about 11:30 last night and filled the grid before midnight, parsing the trickier ones took a similar amount of time and I was in the land of Nod before the news of the assassination attempt reached me.
Quite a few clues have remained unhinted but the usual plea “when in doubt look for a lurker…” should include reversals, that and anagrams should give enough checkers to get to completion. I will give a bonus nudge if required to the first to ask.
I have quite a lot of italics today (four Shakespearean characters – one from Roald Dahl and the Thunderer) but I can’t see any connection – maybe just a sub-editor being stylish
A nice even 14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half
Here we go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 129 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 126
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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A not too tuff tuffy from Zandio today, I have hinted half of an even 14a and 14d clues but remain on hand to provide a nudge or two for those clues that didn’t make the cut
On a couple of occasions, similar clue types follow each other (two double definitions then two &lit’s) but not often enough to suggest more than a coincidence
2d was my favourite today and gave me an opportunity for some Kitty pics, although the pic for 23d should have been focused on the chap to the right!
Here we go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 126 (Hints)”
Toughie No 2548 by Zandio
Hints and tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
You can usually rely on Zandio to provide a ‘proper’ Toughie crossword Continue reading “Toughie 2548”
Toughie No 2532 by Zandio
Hints and tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
I was expecting a challenging Toughie from Zandio Continue reading “Toughie 2532”
Toughie No 2516 by Zandio
Hints and tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
An enjoyable Toughie with no obscurities but a couple of clues that needed a bit of thought to parse
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2496 by Zandio
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment *
Tilsit covered my Tuesday slot, while I am covering Thursday to allow crypticsue to deputise for Dutch tomorrow.
I found this to be a slog with no satisfaction on completion. I’m sure others will disagree. What a contrast to the excellent puzzle that I have just solved that will appear as Saturday’s NTSPP. Continue reading “Toughie 2496”
Toughie No 2476 by Zandio
Hints and tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Zandio is fast becoming one of my favourite Toughie setters as he always gives us a proper Toughie where the difficulty comes from cleverly written clues without needing to use obscurities
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2461 by Zandio
Hints and tips by Dutch
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***/****
Slow to start but then progressed smoothly as the checkers started coming in.… Continue reading
Toughie No 2444 by Zandio
Hints and tips by crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment ****
We haven’t had a Toughie from Zandio since last November but I’d say he certainly hasn’t lost any of his ability to provide a proper really tough crossword in the interim.… Continue reading