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.

If this is your first time, or for more information about this site, please click on Continue reading “Welcome”

DT 31192

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31192

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** Enjoyment ****

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. I thought this puzzle was just excellent, with many penny drop moments encountered either finding the answers or parsing the wordplay.  Continue reading "DT 31192"

DT 31187 (Full Review)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31187

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 14th March 2026

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

Greetings from Kolkata. A tough Saturday puzzle from the setter that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31187 (Full Review)”

Toughie 3655

Toughie No 3655 by Bandit
Hints and tips by ALP

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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****/*****

Bandit makes a welcome second appearance with yet more cleverness and truly immaculate surfaces. A dollop of history (huzzah!) and a smidgeon of science (boo!) but all very fairly clued. All yours.

Continue reading “Toughie 3655”

DT 31191

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31191
Hints and Tips by Gazza

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

Thanks to today’s setter (I’ll leave you to guess his or her identity) for an entertaining puzzle.
Continue reading “DT 31191”

Toughie 3654

Toughie  No 3654 by Django

Hints and Tips by crypticsue

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

As usual, Django provides another very entertaining mid-week level Toughie. … Continue reading

DT 31190

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31190
Hints and Tips by Deansleigh

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

Good morning everyone, and welcome to the midweek back-pager blog.  I found today’s puzzle relatively gentle for a Wednesday: I was heading for my quickest solve of the week, until the app inexplicably threw all my answers away and I had to start again.  There are several culinary references today, which left me feeling quite peckish.  There is also an excellent Quickie pun.  Amongst my favourite clues were 4a, 16a, 24a and 14d, but my top spot goes to the topical 4d.  Many thanks to today’s setter.

Continue reading “DT 31190”

ST 3359 (Full Review)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3359

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 8th March 2026

BD Rating – Difficulty ***Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Kolkata. This Sunday, Dada set a slightly tough puzzle that I enjoyed solving. I have also written a full review of it for your kind perusal and valuable feedback. Continue reading “ST 3359 (Full Review)”