Welcome to Big Dave’s Crossword Blog
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
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.
If this is your first time, or for more information about this site, please click on Continue reading “Welcome”
Sunday Toughie No 229
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
A bit of a slow start, but once some checkers came, I picked up the pace. As it is a Prize Puzzle I am unable to hint them all, but I will try and give a nudge if I can.
Here We Go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 229 (Hints)”
Enigmatic Variations 1751 (Hints)
In The Dock by Karla
Hints and tips by Gabriel / Jpeg
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Karla has set a handful of EV puzzles before and this one promises to be challenging.… Continue reading
Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3373 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where, after violent storms on Tuesday and Wednesday, it has cooled down considerably to the point that I have considered retrieving The Red Scarf from Summer storage!
For me, and I stress for me,© thankfully Dada quite friendly with quirkiness here and there. After zero anagrams last week he has included four (three partials) this week, but no lurkers or homophones, all in an economically symmetric 28 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid 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!
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 3373 (Hints)”
A Puzzle by Meles
+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - +
Continue reading "NTSPP 853"
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31265 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club
(hosted by crypticsue)
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Continue reading “DT 31265 (Hints)”
Toughie No 3704 by Elgar
Hints and Tips by crypticsue
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
Continue reading “Toughie 3704”
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31259
A full review by Rahmat Ali
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on 6th June 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata.… Continue reading
Toughie No 3703 by Potoroo
Hints and tips by ALP
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment *****
What a joy to welcome Potoroo to the jungle party. A fine debut (here) that’s fresh and fun. Nothing too spooky – only 5d needed a spot of time travel (my Geography O level was 100 years ago) but it’s very fairly clued. The floor, as ever, is yours.
Continue reading “Toughie 3703”
EV1749
Connection by Ranunculus
Solution

Continue reading “EV 1749 (Solution)”