Big Dave's Crossword Blog – Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English

 Welcome

Welcome to Big Dave’s Crossword Blog

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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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DT 30477

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30,477
Hints and tips by Shabbo

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***


Our more experienced solvers will know the identity of our setter from his use of “sweetheart” in 17a. Ximenean sticklers will tell you that sweetheart cannot represent E, in much the same way as Maidenhead cannot represent M, but Libertarians will say that the intent is clear and therefore it is acceptable.… Continue reading

DT 30476

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30476

Hints and tips by 2Kiwis

BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ****

Kia ora from Aotearoa.
We have been rather lax with our crossword solving lately while we had guests staying. They went home yesterday so are back into our usual routine and able to give our full attention to putting this together.
Lots of good clues here and a pleasure for us to solve.… Continue reading

ST 3240 (full review)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3240

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 26th Nov 2023

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Kolkata. A lovelier and friendlier puzzle from Dada this Sunday that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review which I now present for your kind reading and valuable feedback.Continue reading

DT 30475

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30,475
Hints and tips by Huntsman

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

Another miserable rainy day of Stygian gloom here in Harpenden – give me crisp & cold any day providing there’s no white stuff – so it’s an opportunity to catch up on films at the cinema.… Continue reading

DT 30474

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30474

Hints and tips by Falcon

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BD Rating – Difficulty *Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Ottawa, where the first significant snowfall of the season is forecast, although so far barely enough has accumulated to cover the ground. However, I expect to be confronted with a different situation when I awake in the morning.… Continue reading