Friday – Page 2 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Toughie 3652

Toughie No 3652 by Karla
Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

Karla has upped the difficulty level a bit since his last Toughie but this is still pretty accessible and it’s very enjoyable. Many thanks to him.
Continue reading “Toughie 3652”

DT 31186

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31186

Hints and tips by Mr K

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. I couldn’t see today’s Quickie Pun. Not sure if that’s because I’m American or because I’m tired, but I hope somebody from the commentariat will help out there.  Continue reading "DT 31186"

Toughie 3644

Toughie No 3644 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

An enjoyable but quite tough puzzle from Sparks today with several answers which I needed to verify. Sparks often gives us something extra in the grid – the only thing I can see today is that many answers start with E and there are two big E-shapes in the grid. Can you spot anything else?
Continue reading “Toughie 3644”

DT 31174

Daily Telegraph
No 31174
Hints and tips by ALP

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

I’m standing in for Mr K so I’m afraid there will be no cats. I remain traumatised by them after watching Doctor Who getting chased through London’s sewers by giant rats back in 1977. Our old tom was equally terrified and promptly pounced on my head before coughing up hot milk all over me. Happily, there are no such horrors today, simply smart but fair wordplay and fizzy surfaces. Just no cats! All yours.

Continue reading “DT 31174”

DT 31168

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31168

Hints and tips by Mr K

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

BD Rating  -  Difficulty **** Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday.  Today we have a puzzle where intricate wordplay and complex letter algebra trumps everything else.  Continue reading "DT 31168"

Toughie 3636

Toughie No 3636 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Gazza
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ****Enjoyment ***

A typical Osmosis offering containing lots of clever wordplay which I enjoyed. Getting 6d and all the 3-letter answers early gave me a good start. 23a took me longest to parse.
Continue reading “Toughie 3636”