Big Dave's Crossword Blog – Page 1329 – Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English

DT Cryptic No 25862

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25862

Today’s hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

It’s Thursday today, so Gazza’s back again.  Don’t forget that the full analyses for last weekend’s puzzles are due to be published at noon.  You may have already seen the Saturday review as it was released last Friday after being published online by mistake; some small revisions have been applied, mostly to give all the answers as well as the wordplay.   BD

I thought that this was an entertaining crossword with some interesting clues and not too difficult, though it does contain one word I’d never heard of.

  Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25862”

ScrewedUp News – Feb 25

ScrewedUp News – Feb 25

Edition 4

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I’m not sure when, but this has now been corrected on both playable and printable online versions.

Just a small problem today, but especially annoying to people who, like myself, don’t always check that the number of letters in the clue matches the number of lights in the grid.

Today it’s the Toughie No 101. Continue reading “ScrewedUp News – Feb 25”

Toughie No 101

Toughie No 101 by Firefly

Firefly sets another very enjoyable puzzle

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

This is the latest in a run of good Toughie crosswords.  Not so Tough that you can’t finish it, but it gives you a warm glow of satisfaction when you do.  Don’t forget that the linked items usually contain information related to the answer – sometimes you may need to look at the url (the bit that starts http://).

Continue reading “Toughie No 101”

DT Cryptic No 25861

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25861

Hints and tips by Libellule

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

Libellule thinks that going to watch France play Wales in Paris is more important than his Friday blog.  I’m sure you would all rather he missed the game, but as a penance he has agreed to do today’s instead.   BD

Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25861”

Toughie No 100

Toughie No 100 by Myops

The landmark 100th Toughie lived up to its name

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

Was it as good as last Friday’s?  Not quite, but a good puzzle nevertheless.  I found it difficult to get started, and had to fight my way out of the bottom right-hand corner.

Continue reading “Toughie No 100”

DT Cryptic No 25860

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25860

Today’s hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

It seems you all like Gazza’s hints and tips, so I’ve twisted his arm and he’s agreed to do two days a week, starting today, and then back on Thursday.  I’ve added a few new bits and pieces to The Mine – Birthstones, Roman Numerals and Zodiac Signs – with more in the pipeline.  BD

Today’s puzzle is quite interesting and certainly a bit harder than yesterday’s. There’s one clue (24 across) where I’m unable to provide a very satisfactory explanation of the wordplay and I’d be grateful for comments [stop press – mystery now solved – see clue below] Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25860”

DT Cryptic No 25859

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25859

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

Once again you have a nice easy start to the week, with this honest, straightforward puzzle.  Try and do as much of this as you can without my help (but don’t put me out of business)!!

Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25859”

ScrewedUp News – Feb 22

ScrewedUp News – Feb 22

Edition 2

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12.36 – Hooray! Somebody out there in Telegraphland is listening (or perhaps reading this blog!) – the problem now seems to be fixed, although I can’t go back and enter the missing answer (and Codewords 1231 has been fixed as well – see Edition 1 of this newsletter).

If you are reading this at the Telegraph – the printable grid for Friday’s Quick crossword, No 25857, still has nowhere for 1 down to be entered!!

I wasn’t going to, but I’ve decided to call these items ScrewedUp News instead of CluedUp News.

Today it’s the ST Cryptic No 2472 that has a problem. Continue reading “ScrewedUp News – Feb 22”

ST Cryptic No 2472 – Hints

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2472

Selected hints by Big Dave

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment **

For the weekend prize crosswords I will select a few of the better clues and provide hints for them.  A full analysis of this puzzle will be available at 12.00 next Thursday,  February 26th.

Some hints to get you started: Continue reading “ST Cryptic No 2472 – Hints”