Solutions – Page 1025 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

DT Cryptic No 25862

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25862

Today’s hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

It’s Thursday today, so Gazza’s back again.  Don’t forget that the full analyses for last weekend’s puzzles are due to be published at noon.  You may have already seen the Saturday review as it was released last Friday after being published online by mistake; some small revisions have been applied, mostly to give all the answers as well as the wordplay.   BD

I thought that this was an entertaining crossword with some interesting clues and not too difficult, though it does contain one word I’d never heard of.

  Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25862”

ScrewedUp News – Feb 25

ScrewedUp News – Feb 25

Edition 4

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I’m not sure when, but this has now been corrected on both playable and printable online versions.

Just a small problem today, but especially annoying to people who, like myself, don’t always check that the number of letters in the clue matches the number of lights in the grid.

Today it’s the Toughie No 101. Continue reading “ScrewedUp News – Feb 25”

Toughie No 101

Toughie No 101 by Firefly

Firefly sets another very enjoyable puzzle

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

This is the latest in a run of good Toughie crosswords.  Not so Tough that you can’t finish it, but it gives you a warm glow of satisfaction when you do.  Don’t forget that the linked items usually contain information related to the answer – sometimes you may need to look at the url (the bit that starts http://).

Continue reading “Toughie No 101”

DT Cryptic No 25861

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25861

Hints and tips by Libellule

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

Libellule thinks that going to watch France play Wales in Paris is more important than his Friday blog.  I’m sure you would all rather he missed the game, but as a penance he has agreed to do today’s instead.   BD

Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25861”

Toughie No 100

Toughie No 100 by Myops

The landmark 100th Toughie lived up to its name

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

Was it as good as last Friday’s?  Not quite, but a good puzzle nevertheless.  I found it difficult to get started, and had to fight my way out of the bottom right-hand corner.

Continue reading “Toughie No 100”

DT Cryptic No 25860

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25860

Today’s hints and tips by Gazza

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

It seems you all like Gazza’s hints and tips, so I’ve twisted his arm and he’s agreed to do two days a week, starting today, and then back on Thursday.  I’ve added a few new bits and pieces to The Mine – Birthstones, Roman Numerals and Zodiac Signs – with more in the pipeline.  BD

Today’s puzzle is quite interesting and certainly a bit harder than yesterday’s. There’s one clue (24 across) where I’m unable to provide a very satisfactory explanation of the wordplay and I’d be grateful for comments [stop press – mystery now solved – see clue below] Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25860”

DT Cryptic No 25859

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25859

Hints and tips by Big Dave

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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***

Once again you have a nice easy start to the week, with this honest, straightforward puzzle.  Try and do as much of this as you can without my help (but don’t put me out of business)!!

Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25859”

Toughie No 99

Toughie No 99 by Elgar

An excellent, challenging puzzle

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

This puzzle has 5 stars for both difficulty and enjoyment.  I knew soon after starting that it was going to be a struggle, but as I opened up each clue, I began to enjoy the contest.  I will be interested to know what Dr B, my American friend, makes of this one as some of the clues have a uniquely British flavour.  As usual, the links provide additional content which is usually useful, occassionally totally frivolous.

Continue reading “Toughie No 99”

DT Cryptic No 25857

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 25857

A full analysis by Big Dave

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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***

This is a review of the puzzle as published in the newspaper and now available online – the one that was originally published online turned out to be the Saturday Prize crossword!.  Neither puzzle was anything special – nothing particularly good or annoyingly bad.  For a real puzzle, see today’s Toughie No 99.

Continue reading “DT Cryptic No 25857”