Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
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You have reached the world’s biggest and best crossword blog. If you are looking for help with the Daily and Sunday Telegraph cryptic crosswords or the Enigmatic Variations advanced cryptic, a total of 13 puzzles a week, then you have come to the right place.
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Sunday Toughie No 246
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A second Sunday Toughie from Hudson, and I found it a tad easier than proXimal last week. The usual delays at Telegraph Towers at the start of the month didn’t happen, and I got off to a flying start at about 23:20.
I had to consult our golf correspondent to check 1a. Thanks, Andy. Some very nice surfaces here, and I don’t think it is too Toughie for a Sunday.
16a and 14d clues, and I have hinted at half. A couple of deeper dives into the BRB thesaurus and dictionary were required (14a 22d), but they were there.
I will try and give a nudge if you get stuck; just ask
Here we go, Folks…
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The first Skylark puzzle I blogged was EV 1569, back in December 2022.
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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where the mild Autumn continues but probably not for much longer. However, no negative temperatures in this week’s version of the 14 day forecast.
Two weeks ago, in response to stanXYZ, I stated that I would explain why a reversal can work better than a three letter anagram that probably involves moving only one letter. Some time ago, possibly pre-Covid, there was a two element clue for SANGRIA. The first element was based on a synonym of SANG and the second was indicated as an anagram of AIR which, in my opinion and although it involves moving two letters, would have been better clued as a reversal.
For me, and I stress for me,© Dada about the friendliest he gets. Four long ‘uns, six anagrams (four partials), one lurker, and one homophone, all in a symmetric not great value for money 28 clues; with 14 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!
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Toughie No 3772 by Sparks
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Thanks to Sparks for a very enjoyable puzzle containing some cunning bits of misdirection.… Continue reading
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BD Rating - Difficulty **** - Enjoyment ***
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. Continue reading "DT 31366"
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This puzzle was published on 3rd October 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A truly marvellous Saturday puzzle from NYDK that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31361 (Full Review)”
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment **/***
Very relaxed for a Thursday Toughie, with a one-in-four anagram count adding further grease to the wheel. Is it just me or is the leap to a Friday Elgar growing wider by the week? ‘Twas alway a step-up – and rightly so – but the gap now seems interplanetary! The floor, as ever, is yours.