Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
A very straightforward puzzle with only a couple of points to delay experienced solvers. One new answer for me, and only a few puzzling clues. Grid grumbles: none! A bit of a geography exam, but I doubt these entries caused serious trouble.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
A pleasant puzzle that wouldn’t have been out-of-place as a daily cryptic.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Categorising a puzzle as difficult or easy is problematic, in that one which is easy for a veteran solver who knows all the conventions and has probably seen variations on many of the clues before, can be very difficult for a novice. So the “BD Difficulty Rating” at the top of all our reviews is not meant to be an absolute judgement but is a personal opinion of how this puzzle compares with an average one in this category.
I found this puzzle to be slightly easier than the normal Telegraph Cryptic (and therefore an ideal one for someone starting out), but with many well-constructed and entertaining clues – but that’s just one opinion – leave us yours via a comment!
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
This is a very enjoyable Toughie with some excellent and amusing clues. Some of the wordplay is tricky and it’s a good idea to claw your way into it by picking off an easy clue (like 24d) or an obvious anagram (like 27a) first, in order to get as many checking letters as possible before you start on the harder clues.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
It has been long established that the Telegraph, with occasional exceptions, used the same setter each week for any given day. Recently it has been obvious that this no longer applies – I cannot believe that this puzzle was from the same source as last week’s travesty. This one is not only easier than a week ago, but much more enjoyable.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
An enjoyable puzzle that could just as easily been a normal daily cryptic. Some slightly tricky wordplay on a couple of clues pushed it from two star difficulty into three. This would make a good puzzle to start on if you usually struggle with the Toughies.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
This is a decent, solid puzzle which left me feeling just slightly disappointed because there are no really witty clues to make me laugh. Am I being over-critical and expecting too much? What do you think? – leave us a comment!
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
The usual amiable start from the Monday Maestro with the usual smattering of cryptic definitions and clever wordplay. Lots of double definition clues today. I have to say that I feel that a couple of the cryptic definitions are not as strong as usual and seem a bit forced.
As usual, the “blank bits” between the curly brackets will give you the solution if you highlight it.
I would also welcome your comments, plaudits or brickbats below..
Continue reading “DT 25937”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
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 Friday, 29th May.
Some hints to get you started:
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment **
Peter Biddlecombe’s full review of this puzzle will be published at 12.00 on Thursday, 28th May.
