Sunday Toughie 242
by Silvanus
Hints & Tips by Sloop John Bee
Silvanus was here for the Friday backpager, with a great Nina to honour the “Mutch Admired” Jeremy Mutch AKA Jay. I thought we were starting along a tribute to the equally admired Mr Manley AKA 1a, but that is as far as I got with setter spotting. A couple of former PM’s appear but don’t be fooled by the former Chancellor; it isn’t Rachel in 4d
I am finding Silvanus with his Sunday Toughie hat on quite tricky to parse, but that is as it should be with toughies. 7a and 2d in particular, and I have given my best guess in the hints. As a consequence, some other quite tricky constructions have hit the cutting room floor, so I will try and give a nudge if asked
The mental image of George proposing to Daisy at an Elizabethan-themed ball will live in my mind for some time, so 7d gets my COTT
Here we go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 242 (Hints)”
Enigmatic Variations 1764 (Hints)
Superficially by Kruger
Hints and tips by Phibs
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This is Kruger’s 82nd EV puzzle, and his third of the year, following one about Little Bo Peep and another about Peter James’ detective Roy Grace. Perhaps this time around we can expect Little Boys in Blue…
Continue reading “EV 1764 (Hints)”
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3386 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where today accounts for the third blogging milestone I began talking about at the end of June – this is my 500th Sunday blog, not counting the first Sunday Toughie – 93 puzzles by Virgilius (Brian Greer) and 407 by Dada (John Halpern).
You may not have received a blog notification e-mail this morning; that would be because of an aberration between me and my laptop on Friday evening (UK time). We have spoken to each other and we promise that it will not happen again, at least not until the next time 
For me, and I stress for me,© after a slow start, Dada quite friendly. Five anagrams (three partials), one lurker, and two homophones (in successive clues, neither of them hinted!), all in a symmetric 30 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, all BRB verified where necessary, you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand! You might even need your favourite e-search ‘assistant’!
Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Continue reading “ST 3386 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 240 by Light
Full Review by Gazza
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This puzzle was published on 30/08/26
A very enjoyable puzzle from Light this week.
Across Clues
1a Loud claps accompanying flashes of brilliance?… Continue reading
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3384
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 30th August 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A very entertaining Sunday prize puzzle from Dada that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of the same for your kind perusal and important feedback. Continue reading “ST 3384 (Full Review)”
Sunday Toughie No 241
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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As seems to be usual with Telegraph Towers, the first puzzle of the month is slow to appear. I got this at about quarter past midnight, but sped through this fairly quickly for a Zandio. 23d and 18d needed a bit of thought but I think I have parsed them now.
I will try and give a nudge if you are struggling; just ask. We have pulses here 4d and in the Dada 27a with Senf. Are the setters on a bit of a health kick? With all the healthy eating you are entitled to an extra 12a for afters
Here We Go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 241 (Hints)”
Enigmatic Variations 1763 (Hints)
MAGIC SQUARE by KCIT
Hints and tips by Gabriel / Jpeg
Kcit tends to set hard and clever puzzles and this is no exception – I suppose most people by now know that he’s antipodean and thus his pseudonym is meant to be read backwards.… Continue reading
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3385 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where Summer is desperately trying to hang on for a while longer although we have had at least one foggy morning typical of late October/early November.
For me, and I stress for me,© Dada very quirky although I have to admit that my spelling and writing skills left a little to be desired. Seven anagrams (three partials), one lurker, and one homophone, all in a slightly asymmetric 30 clues; with 16 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, all BRB verified where necessary, you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand! You might even need your favourite e-search ‘assistant’!
Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Continue reading “ST 3385 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 239 by proXimal
Full Review by Gazza
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This puzzle was published on 23/08/26
A delightful and fairly gentle puzzle from proXimal this week.… Continue reading
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3383
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 23rd August 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. An excellent, straightforward Sunday prize puzzle from Dada that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of the same for your kind perusal and important feedback. Continue reading “ST 3383 (Full Review)”