ScrewedUp News – May 02
Edition 18
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May 03 – Codewords 1291 has now been changed
Late news – Mrs BD, optimistically confident that the Codewords couldn’t be wrong again this week, has found that it is wrong!
Yes, that’s right, there’s a problem with the squares numbered 1 yet again.
May 02 – 14.30 – Giant GK 12260 is available online now!
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
Well – you will have plenty of time to stand and stare today without your regular diet of Saturday’s Giant GK Crossword!
But wait, help is at hand.
Look, here’s a scan.
Continue reading “ScrewedUp News – May 02”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25918 – Hints
Selected hints by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
A better puzzle than last week, but still not good enough for the top slot of the week – the flagship Prize puzzle. The dreaded place name makes an unwelcome return, but at least there are no girls’ names, or even boys’ names.
Peter Biddlecombe’s full review of this puzzle will be published at 12.00 on Thursday, 7th May.
Continue reading “DT 25918 – Hints”
Toughie No 139 by Elgar
Elgar sets the standard that others must follow
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment *****
Elgar has consistently set Toughies that are Tough, and this one is no exception. To say that is easier than some of Elgar’s previous puzzles doesn’t mean it is easy. For those that do battle with this puzzle, the reward is in the satisfaction of completing it. But don’t worry if you get stuck – you can find all of the answers here.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25917
Hints and tips by Libellule
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
I found this one to be a lot harder than the other crosswords this week. Either I was having a bad day, or this really was more difficult. Comments appreciated.
• Continue reading “DT 25917”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2481 – Review
A full analysis by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Sundays may never be the same again! Another very enjoyable puzzle which, although not difficult, leaves you feeling satisfied – unless of course you liked the strange clues and odd construction that used to be the norm!
It seems that the change in style is linked to a whole new approach to the Sunday puzzles in general – although printing one prize puzzle on the back of another is something that the Puzzles Editor should perhaps rethink! I have asked for guidance on the admissibility of copies of prize puzzles, and will let you all know when I get it. Continue reading “ST Cryptic No 2481 – Review”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25912 – Review
A full analysis by Peter Biddlecombe
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
The best thing about this puzzle for me was the set of answers – these make a pangram (all letters of the alphabet appear at least once). Some tricky letters appear several times – there are 3 Zs and 4 Vs for example. The bad things for me were a couple of the selections for answers, and some clues that were either not very cryptic or could lead to more than one answer. Some will be delighted to see no obscure place names in this puzzle.
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Toughie No 138 by Firefly
Hints and tips by Tilsit
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ***
Much irritation to start the day, on-line solving access to the Toughie is not available at midnight . As I have no printer access, I have to draw up my own grid and solve from the clues on screen.
There was much to be admired in today’s puzzle, but there were one or two quite major queries for me. I really didn’t like 1 across and I am really unsure of the definition of 12 across. I have also given up on 21 across after it nearly reacted with my sleeping medication to give me hallucinations.
I’d like to nominate 26 across as this puzzle’s entry into Clue of the Week. Certainly made me smile.
Thanks to Firefly for an enjoyable and thought-provoking challenge.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25916
Today’s hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
I thought that this was an enjoyable puzzle which had some entertaining and amusing clues without being overly difficult or containing any really obscure words – just what we need for a daily crossword.
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Toughie No 137 by Messinae
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
If you’re not into cricket then you may find a couple of the clues in this one quite tricky. Otherwise it’s a fairly straightforward puzzle.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25915
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
This morning the CluedUp website is not working very well! You can print out puzzles, but you can’t play them online. Today’s is a typical Wednesday puzzle – not too difficult, and a good mix of clues.
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