Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Apologies for the disappearance of the blog on Saturday 4 July. A large number of bots flooded the site with requests, causing the blog to overload and deny access to regular users.
Mr K was able to find way to block the bots and restore normal service. … Continue reading
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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”
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ***** – Enjoyment *****
A proper Friday Toughie, but then we would expect nothing less from Elgar
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BD Rating - Difficulty *** - Enjoyment ***
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. Continue reading "DT 31288"
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This puzzle was published on 4th July 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A brilliant 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 31283 (Full Review)”
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
Pleasingly gentle from Django today. The only vaguely time-consuming element was checking the anagram fodder but – like a saint! – I’ve done it so you don’t have to. There’s some Beam-ish mention of boobs and blue tablets that makes the presumably accidental four-letter central Nina seem rather appropriate. There’s also the Miss Piggy reference that, for some reason, always makes me smile. ‘Tis all very jolly. The floor, as ever, is yours.
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31287
Hints and Tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ****
Thanks to today’s setter for a very enjoyable puzzle though I’m not sure that we needed to be reminded of the former political leaders from opposing parties.
Continue reading “DT 31287”
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BD Rating – Toughie Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
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BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** Enjoyment ****
Good morning everyone, and welcome to the midweek back-pager blog. I found today’s puzzle to be a step up in difficulty from the previous two days, with some general knowledge required and one or two rather obscure words, but everything is fairly clued. Amongst my favourites today are 22a, 25a, 26a, 2d and 24d, but the clue I liked best was 1a, for its brevity and very clever misdirection. There is also a superb Quickie pun. Many thanks to our setter for a thoroughly enjoyable workout.
Sunday Toughie No 231 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 28th of June 2026
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This puzzle was published on 28th June 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. An excellent and straightforward puzzle from Dada this Sunday that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of his puzzle for your kind perusal and valuable feedback. Continue reading “ST 3375 (Full Review)”
