Big Dave's Crossword Blog – Page 267 – Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English

Sunday Toughie 87 (Hints)

Sunday Toughie No 87 by proXimal

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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At the easier end of the spectrum of how I usually find proXimal, but still a definite Toughie. The Reverend Doctor Spooner makes an appearance again but I am getting less frightened of these clues now

We have a nicely balanced 14a 14d clues today with some lovely surfaces that tell a story whilst deceiving the solver I have hinted half but will offer a nudge for those clues that hit the cutting room floor

Here we go, Folks…

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EV 1609 Hints

Enigmatic Variations 1609 (Hints)

Sad Neighbours by Chalicea

Hints and tips by Phibs

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Solvers who have previously encountered Chalicea will know that they can expect a fair and entertaining – but not too tough – challenge, and an endgame which will leave no room for doubt that it has been successfully negotiated.

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ST 3231 (Hints)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3231 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where we seem to be have had one last hurrah of Summer before Astronomical Autumn began yesterday with, in the first half of the week, sunshine and temperatures in the middle 20s and even 29 degrees on Tuesday.… Continue reading

DT 30413 (Hints)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30413 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

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A beautiful, but very chilly, September morning brings what I thought was a fairly typical Saturday Prize Puzzle

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Toughie 3136

Toughie No 3136 by Elgar

Hints and tips by Dutch

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

Tricky! A satisfying solve. Seeing the pangram earlier might have helped me decide the correct alternative spelling for the last clue. Continue reading “Toughie 3136”

DT 30412

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30412

Hints and tips by Mr K

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

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. I found today’s puzzle distinctly chewy, with many passes though the list of clues being required to get a completed grid.  In hindsight there’s nothing too exotic in the wordplay, so I don’t know why that happened – the wavelength thing perhaps?  Lots of fun lurking in the clues, but I felt it was a step up in difficulty from what we’ve seen on recent Fridays .  Continue reading "DT 30412"

Toughie 3135

Toughie No 3135 by Beam
Hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***


This is a fairly typical Beam Toughie, though there are no ‘first letters’ clues and the Queen is having day off.
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DT 30411

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30,411
Hints and tips by Shabbo

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

Good morning, fellow cruciverbalists. I really enjoyed this and I hope you did as well.… Continue reading