Toughie No 97 by Cephas
Firm but fair
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are becoming a bit of a struggle with two crosswords to be blogged – I already have help on Thursday, Friday and the Saturday Review. If you would like to help, then get in touch through Contact. Today I have changed the format a little so that the components of the answer, and the answer itself, are in capitals.
The puzzle itself was firm but fair, apart from some of the silly three letter clues. Peter Biddlecombe (whose Review of last Saturday’s puzzle will be published at noon tomorrow) won’t like the grid on this one – four totally separate corners joined only in the centre. Don’t be surprised if you get some of the answers and then struggle to find the wordplay, but then that’s why this blog is here!
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25855
Do this one first, then move on to the Toughie!
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
After a late start due to the increasingly frequent problems on the CluedUp website, here are the hints and tips (mainly actual answers today as I was somewhat lacking in inspiration!). Today I have changed the format a little so that the components of the answer, and the answer itself, are in capitals.
Someone at the Telegraph must have been listening, as the Wednesday puzzle used to be the source of a lot of grief, mainly because of the dubious nature of some of the clues. That seems to have changed, as this is a neat, straightforward puzzle.
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Toughie No 96 by Shamus
An enjoyable puzzle, but not too difficult
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
One or two clues you need to find the answer, and then work out the wordplay, but generally this is a solid puzzle, with none of the tenuous clues we have had recently.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25854
An easy puzzle today
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
Some recent Tuesday puzzles have caused a few problems, but not for the last week or so. Only a couple of links today – nothing interesting enough for supplementary information!
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25853
Not as easy as last Monday
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A full analysis of DT Cryptic No 25846 has now been published as a review. I hope to publish analyses for both weekend puzzles by the following Thursday – starting this week with Peter Biddlecombe’s review of DT 25852.
Last Monday we had a nice easy one to start the week – this one will make you think a little harder, but that’s where this review can help. Don’t forget that clicking on the links reveals supplementary information, some useful and some frivolous.
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Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2471
This one should take you longer than Saturday’s!
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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. The mini-poll is currently showing 70% in favour of hints only, so that’s the way it will stay for the time being. A full analysis of this puzzle will be available at 12.00 next Thursday, February 19th.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25852
Selected hints
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment **
As with last Saturday’s puzzle, there is nothing here to trouble the moderately experienced solver. 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, prepared by Peter Biddlecombe, will be available at 12.00 next Thursday, February 19th. Peter was Times crossword champion in 2000 and 2007 and is a pioneer in crossword blogging (see Times for the Times).
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Toughie No 95 by Messinae
A really enjoyable puzzle with some literary allusions
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
I found myself appreciating this puzzle even more as I prepared the hints – there are references to three classic books, and a nursery rhyme. While not trivially easy, this is a well constructed puzzle which is well worth the effort taken to solve. Don’t forget the highlighted items give supplementary information and, usually, the answer.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25851
Today’s hints and tips, by Libellule
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
This is the first contribution from Libellule, so I hope you all enjoy it – I certainly did. Once again, the highlighted items link to supplementary information, often the answer to the clue. Don’t forget to let both of us know, via the comments below, what you think. BD
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Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 2470 – Review
A full analysis by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
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See also the original posting for ST Cryptic No 2470 – Hints
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