Sunday Toughie No 126 by
Zandio
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 23rd of June 2024
Tag: 126
Sunday Toughie 126 (Hints)
Sunday Toughie No 126
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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A not too tuff tuffy from Zandio today, I have hinted half of an even 14a and 14d clues but remain on hand to provide a nudge or two for those clues that didn’t make the cut
On a couple of occasions, similar clue types follow each other (two double definitions then two &lit’s) but not often enough to suggest more than a coincidence
2d was my favourite today and gave me an opportunity for some Kitty pics, although the pic for 23d should have been focused on the chap to the right!
Here we go…
Toughie No 126
Toughie No 126 by Cephas
Hints and tips by Tilsit
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
Maybe it’s a hangover from the hospital, maybe I am just a grumpy old devil, but today’s Toughie struck me as being not terribly tough and was no harder than a weekend puzzle.
I found this to have a whiff of the curate’s egg about the puzzle. Very good in parts with one or two bits that left something to be desired. 1 and 8 across and 9 down were clever. I didn’t like 13 across as it contained a device called “an indirect anagram” (see below), which is frowned upon by most setters.
I wasn’t keen on 21 across and 7 down I have seen several times clued as just “Cha?”, at least this had a definition to accompany it. I like clues to have a nice surface reading wherever possible and this didn’t seem right.
The other thing I wasn’t over-keen on was the grid itself. I felt there were far too many black squares.
Right! Grumble over and let’s look at the clues.If you like to do this to music, may I suggest some soothing Anton Karas zither tunes…….