Daily Telegraph GK.

[Aquagility]

lector has raised an interesting question about the increasing difficulty of the Kate Mepham crossword, and whether it is now too tough.

Would it not be interesting to sample the views of regular ABers? I invite answers, A B or C, to these propositions, as they apply to you personally.

A. It has now become too difficult.

B. It is now about right.

C. It is still too easy.

[sarumite]

Good idea Aquagility .. in my view it has now reverted to the level of difficulty as provided for so many years by Michael Mepham. My view is therefore B.

[JoolsTwo]

I think it is maybe just a little too difficult now - we used to be able to do a fair amount without reference to books and internet. But now find that most of it has to be researched. So I would go for - (A)

[JoolsTwo]

It might be a good idea to post this in the main Q&P Aq.

[Paul21455]

I'd go for (B). It's about right. I could only agree with (A) if the time comes when I can't finish the puzzle more often than I complete it.

[Baboonboy]

I have to agree with JJ. I could only answer about 4 clues without reference this week. And I still haven't completed it. I have to rely on the internet far too much now and the reference books seem to be obsolete. I'll go for A but I also think it shouldn't be too easy!! BB

[bridgenut]

Torn between A and B . One time you just typed in the key word(s) and the answer popped up , now as JimJools says a lot of the answers are a bit deeper than that . Not being that bright myself I rely heavily on the search engines for the answers , also the OneAcross site . Definitely not a 'C' .

[yellow11]

definitely a-should now be called extremely obscure rather than general nowledge

[Aquagility]

I have to go out shortly, but I will count the votes and publish your collective views this evening - on this thread.

Let's say 9.00pm closing time.

"Vote early and vote often!"

Aquagility.

[POINCIANA]

I go for option B.
KM seems to delight in obscure clues to mundane answers, as well as a few really difficult ones.
I would get bored if I could do it without research, or, of course, without the assistance of all you generous ABers.

[Dimbiker]

Over the last couple of weeks have struggled to answer the questions out of my general knowledge and am having to do more and more research , which is a good thing in its own right, but does spoil the pleasure of breaking the back of any crossword over a cup of coffe without resorting to reference books and the internet. So A for me I'm afraid.

[calumniate]

In my opinion, as an Oxford MA and retired magazine editor, it has become much more difficult than in the Mike Mepham era - unless one is prepared to resort more and more often to electronic aids.

[kenbraham]

With substantial backing from my wife, together we regularly complete dtgk (Sat.) and Herculis (Mon.). We both use scanned copies of the puzzle. My wife relying on her superior intelligence and reference books and myself relying on Google and Answerbank. After the dtgk of 24/3 and 31/3 my wife is about to lose interest so I must record a vote for A, and another one for my wife, also of course , A

[utisz]

I choose B. OK, it takes time, but it's Sunday and I can use the excuse to duck out of chores. (If I can get away with it!)

[Arabesque]

A for me. I enjoy a challenge, but some of the answers are so obscure even Chambers hasn't heard of them.

[shaneystar2]

I'll choose B.
I think she is doing a grand job.
It's slightly more difficult than it used to be but that doesn't warrant an A. It would be boring if you didn't have to do some research.

[hardy49]

I think B - it is more satisfying when you have to work a bit for the answers !

[MacSmith]

Yes, I too will go for B. Best one yet from Kate.

[wb2831]

a

[mothertiger]

I agree with JimJools.My test for difficulty is how much can I do without reference to books , Internet etc.
With Michael's about 50/60%;higher on a really good Saturday morning;Not so now
My vote is A

[juanmike]

I know that I am a New Boy here, but have to go for A. If the questions are too deep for normal mortals, I just cant be bothered. It's great to get the brain working, but if its just googling and researching, then I would rather go and wash the car.