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Hints and tips for solving cryptic crossword clues.
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Clues and Grid by Shark The background for this puzzle is a posterised black and white Graham Fox photograph showing two bicycles. The 5x5x7 grid celebrates the 75th anniversary of the birth of 5ac 13ac (“the star”) and also a 30th anniversary later this year. Twenty answers must have the same thematic letter inserted or… Read more Hints & Tips September 2021
Clues and Grid by Sirius The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing a wineglass, though it’s hard to tell whether it’s half-empty or half-full. This innovative grid by Sirius is in the form of a torus (or an inflated tyre, to be less technical). This is like a seven dials puzzle,… Read more Hints & Tips August 2021
Clues by Vlad and Grid by Gin The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing a mouth-watering pile of limes. This grid by Gin marks 58th and 70th anniversaries of important dates in the life of one of a famous (or rather notorious) group. His epithet appears in the yellow highlighted squares.… Read more Hints & Tips July 2021
Clues by Imogen and Grid by Max Liversidge The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing some ropes tied in knots. This grid by Max Liversidge doesn’t mark a specific anniversary, but instead combines many anniversaries of a specific type “relevant to present times”. The different anniversaries have undefined asterisked clues, and… Read more Hints & Tips June 2021
Clues by Tramp and Grid by Max Jackson The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing some colourful flowers, possibly lupins. This grid by Max Jackson celebrates the 70th anniversary of a cultural institution. There are ten undefined thematic entries, divided into a quartet and a sextet. Three of the quartet portrayed… Read more Hints & Tips May 2021
Clues and Grid by Puck The background for this puzzle is a Bernard Spragg photograph showing a gear mechanism connecting two shafts at right angles. This grid by Puck won the 2019 RPM Trophy. The puzzle marks a notable anniversary of religious significance. The event in question has an apparently revolting name which rarely fails… Read more Hints & Tips April 2021
Clues by Arachne and Grid by Patch The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing a harbour-side café. The tables sit deserted under an awning as rain teems down. Patch’s grid relates not to an anniversary, but to a thematic phrase, which must be deduced. There are five undefined thematic solutions: a… Read more Hints & Tips March 2021
Clues by Enigmatist and Grid by Sirius This is an extra-special crossword celebrating a 100th anniversary. Sirius has constructed a highly appropriate grid consisting of a column and two spheres to represent 100. In this instance there is no secret about the anniversary. The puzzle is preceded by a tribute page with articles by Enigmatist… Read more Hints & Tips February Extra Special 100 2021
Clues and Grid by Curmudgeon The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing nuts and bolts and coins. Curmudgeon’s grid commemorates the 50th anniversary of an important alteration that one could consider a small change, but certainly not a loose change. The solutions (mostly 5- or 7-letter) have to be entered jigsaw-wise… Read more Hints & Tips February 2021
Clues by Nutmeg and Grid by Jolt The background for this puzzle is a Graham Fox photograph showing Ravi Bopara playing a summer sport for England against New Zealand. The coloured clothing indicates that this is not a Test Match. Jolt has constructed a grid celebrating the 50th anniversary of an impromptu first instance of… Read more Hints & Tips January 2021