Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26770
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
This is a puzzle with all the hallmarks of Petitjean (my suspicions were first aroused by the Quickie pun). It has some pretty modern references (one so modern that it’s not in my 2008 edition of Chambers) so those who complain about crosswords being designed for oldies should be pleased. It has some excellent penny-drop moments and I really enjoyed it. Let us know what you think.
If you want to see an answer just highlight the space between the brackets under the clue.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26769
Hints and tips by Digby
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Libellule is taking several weeks off from blogging as his wife is in hospital having a a major operation. We all wish her well and hope she has a speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, Digby has stepped up to the plate and will be here for at least the next few Mondays. BD
Thanks for all your messages of support on Friday. Having had the weekend to recover here we go again, this time with a Rufus.
The observant ones amongst you might have noticed that my Gravatar (the picture over there >>>) has changed recently to a Buccaneer coming towards you at about 600mph. It’s the jet that Rufus (almost) and I used to fly from aircraft carriers, so it’s a real treat to be able to review one of his puzzles. His crosswords always provide a mixture of challenge and amusement, and this one is no exception – how does he manage to keep up the standard time after time?
Maybe getting up early meant that my brain wasn’t quite in gear, but I found one or two clues a little tenuous – but what do you think?
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Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2623 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, I will select a few of the more difficult clues and provide hints for them.
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Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 102
An Alphabetical Jigsaw by Hieroglyph
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Welcome back to Heiroglyph with a different kind of crossword. I have to admit that alphabetical jigsaws are not my cup of tea but I did enjoy this one. The clues were all relatively gentle and fitting them into the grid was not at all difficult.
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Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 102
An Alphabetical Jigsaw by Hieroglyph
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Welcome to the latest in our series of weekly puzzles.
This week we have our second Alphabetical Jigsaw – this one is set by Hieroglyph. Instructions are available when you select the puzzle.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26768 (Hints)
Big Dave’s Crossword Club
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As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, an assortment of clues, including some of the more difficult ones, have been selected and hints provided for them.
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Toughie No 706 by Notabilis
Hints and tips by Tilsit
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment *****
Greetings from the Calder Valley. Time for the Friday Fiend and today we have a battle with Notabilis, one of my very favourite setters who consistently produces elegant and superior puzzles that leave you with a feeling a satisfaction when you enter the last answer. Today’s challenge is no exception with some really grand clues.
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Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2622
A full review by Gnomethang
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Afternoon All! We have another no frills but highly enjoyable Virgilius puzzle from last Sunday. Not so hard but a couple to make you think.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26767
Hints and tips by Digby
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
From Closet Blogger, to occasional comments, via offering the odd tip to help guide Mary out of the Clueless Club, I suppose that this was the inevitable next step. I think it was Falcon who said that writing his first blog was like riding a bike without the training wheels. Now I know what he meant! Knowing that BD, and the rest of the team, is “out there” to help is a great comfort, however. We have a nicely balanced puzzle today from Giovanni. A good mix of difficulty and clue construction (including a couple of “old chestnuts”) that should please everyone. But what do you think?
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26762
A full review by Crypticsue
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BD Rating – Difficulty **/***– Enjoyment ***
A slightly trickier offering from Cephas this week but as enjoyable as usual, with a nice mix of clues including his trademark anagrams and a couple of new words to learn.
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