Beginners can try out the first preliminary puzzle here.
Keys are : definition in BOLD , wordplay in italics and keywords in italics and in brackets ( ).
Advanced solvers can try out here.
Jay
Monday, December 3, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
The Times Crossword Championship 2012- Part 3
Typically, a crossword is set to be completed over breakfast or on the way to work in a bus or train.
So, most crossword solvers would be very happy to finish a Times crossword in 1 hour. That would be an admirable feat in and of itself - day in , day out to solve some of the best deceptive surface readings ever.
A Times crossword is also fairly set - having a mixture of straightforward clues like anagrams and hidden words as well as employing witty definitions. Half the battle is won if you can identify what the definition is! In every clue, the definition is either at the start or the end of the sentence.If you can narrow it down to one side, the brain has something manageable to do - scan for synonyms.
One of the ways to speed up the solving process is to develop a broad vocabulary so that synonyms are reachable. When you are starting solving crosswords, ( and for a number of years after that ) you absolutely need a thesaurus and a crossword dictionary. Don't be ashamed to refer to it constantly.
In the competition, of course, there is no recourse to any sort of reference material. The calibre of the competitors is apparent. They all have a huge vocabulary. However, I am told that these days, crosswords of all sorts have 'dumbed down' to accommodate the masses who do not have Latin and Greek at their fingertips! So just imagine - the scale of difficulty that was accepted before is unacceptable now.
This was neatly illustrated when Mark Goodliffe ( winner of 5 championships in a row from 2008 to 2012 ) was asked to solve 3 Times puzzles from different eras. He could not quite finish the earliest one!
This is a champion who is now in a league of his own. The comparison to Usain Bolt is apt. Here is a direct quote from the Times article the day after Mark won his sixth title.
"Not content with dashing off the answers to three cryptic puzzles in only 20 minutes, he reached down,picked up the Saturday Review, and turned to the Jumbo cryptic crossword.
Just after the runner-up, Jason James, completed his puzzles in a time of 30 minutes, Mr. Goodliffe had rattled off all 60 answers to the additional double-sized grid. It was as if Usain Bolt had reached the finishing line so far ahead of his rivals that he decided to turn back and do the last two thirds of the race again"
There you go. Do we stop running just because there is a Usain Bolt? No, we don't. The Times Crossword is an everyday challenge that you and I can do and improve on.
When I first started doing it in the NST a few years back it was because I had reached the point where I was solving the Star crossword pretty fast. It was not that challenging anymore. However, theStar Crossword is a good place to begin for new solvers. Stay at it for a couple of years before you even look at the NST crossword!
In the early days , it was very hard going. The 2 hours i would just set aside for 1 puzzle would be fruitless. On average - just 5 clues solved out of 30 or so. But doing it every day over a couple of years has made it reachable by way of completing it. Granted, some days the challenge is phenomenally hard but on most days it is doable.
So, in a way, the time it took to solve one of the crosswords had come down drastically over the 2 years. Literally from an infinite period of time I was able to bring solving time to a matter of hours.
If the sporting metaphor is to be used, I would compare it to a paralysed person who completes the marathon where a few years before he could not imagine himself running.
While we admire ferocious speed, the thing to take back from this competition is the unique journey undertaken by 180 contestants or so to finally take part in the Times Crossword Championship and in looking back - see how far they have come.
Jay
So, most crossword solvers would be very happy to finish a Times crossword in 1 hour. That would be an admirable feat in and of itself - day in , day out to solve some of the best deceptive surface readings ever.
A Times crossword is also fairly set - having a mixture of straightforward clues like anagrams and hidden words as well as employing witty definitions. Half the battle is won if you can identify what the definition is! In every clue, the definition is either at the start or the end of the sentence.If you can narrow it down to one side, the brain has something manageable to do - scan for synonyms.
One of the ways to speed up the solving process is to develop a broad vocabulary so that synonyms are reachable. When you are starting solving crosswords, ( and for a number of years after that ) you absolutely need a thesaurus and a crossword dictionary. Don't be ashamed to refer to it constantly.
In the competition, of course, there is no recourse to any sort of reference material. The calibre of the competitors is apparent. They all have a huge vocabulary. However, I am told that these days, crosswords of all sorts have 'dumbed down' to accommodate the masses who do not have Latin and Greek at their fingertips! So just imagine - the scale of difficulty that was accepted before is unacceptable now.
This was neatly illustrated when Mark Goodliffe ( winner of 5 championships in a row from 2008 to 2012 ) was asked to solve 3 Times puzzles from different eras. He could not quite finish the earliest one!
This is a champion who is now in a league of his own. The comparison to Usain Bolt is apt. Here is a direct quote from the Times article the day after Mark won his sixth title.
"Not content with dashing off the answers to three cryptic puzzles in only 20 minutes, he reached down,picked up the Saturday Review, and turned to the Jumbo cryptic crossword.
Just after the runner-up, Jason James, completed his puzzles in a time of 30 minutes, Mr. Goodliffe had rattled off all 60 answers to the additional double-sized grid. It was as if Usain Bolt had reached the finishing line so far ahead of his rivals that he decided to turn back and do the last two thirds of the race again"
 | ||
| Mark "12 secs a clue" Goodliffe |
There you go. Do we stop running just because there is a Usain Bolt? No, we don't. The Times Crossword is an everyday challenge that you and I can do and improve on.
When I first started doing it in the NST a few years back it was because I had reached the point where I was solving the Star crossword pretty fast. It was not that challenging anymore. However, theStar Crossword is a good place to begin for new solvers. Stay at it for a couple of years before you even look at the NST crossword!
In the early days , it was very hard going. The 2 hours i would just set aside for 1 puzzle would be fruitless. On average - just 5 clues solved out of 30 or so. But doing it every day over a couple of years has made it reachable by way of completing it. Granted, some days the challenge is phenomenally hard but on most days it is doable.
So, in a way, the time it took to solve one of the crosswords had come down drastically over the 2 years. Literally from an infinite period of time I was able to bring solving time to a matter of hours.
If the sporting metaphor is to be used, I would compare it to a paralysed person who completes the marathon where a few years before he could not imagine himself running.
While we admire ferocious speed, the thing to take back from this competition is the unique journey undertaken by 180 contestants or so to finally take part in the Times Crossword Championship and in looking back - see how far they have come.
Jay
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Times Crosword Championship 2012- Part 2
If I understood John clearly, each puzzle was set by an individual setter. That was interesting. Normally, the Times crossword is the work of several setters.
Would each crossword reveal something unique ?
Here are the anagram clues in First Preliminary - Puzzle No 1.
X8. "Distinguished artists" is a term translated here (7)
Y8. Pilot coming out of marina, at sea (6)
Z8. Like incorrect shop signs, perhaps, I stood changing (13)
A9. Violently shattering, put back in order (10 )
Double Definition Clues
B9. Deduce it's a no-win situation (4)
C9. Reckless game bird (7)
D9. Saw what something obvious doesn't need (6)
Charade Clues
E9. Boast by legal group that can exert powerful leverage (7)
F9. Halt source of whisky on base (10)
G9. Trendy point of view, for example (8)
The second preliminary proceeded after an hour. We left for lunch and hoped to make it back for the finals 2 hours later.
to be continued....
Jay
Would each crossword reveal something unique ?
Here are the anagram clues in First Preliminary - Puzzle No 1.
X8. "Distinguished artists" is a term translated here (7)
Y8. Pilot coming out of marina, at sea (6)
Z8. Like incorrect shop signs, perhaps, I stood changing (13)
A9. Violently shattering, put back in order (10 )
Double Definition Clues
B9. Deduce it's a no-win situation (4)
C9. Reckless game bird (7)
D9. Saw what something obvious doesn't need (6)
Charade Clues
E9. Boast by legal group that can exert powerful leverage (7)
F9. Halt source of whisky on base (10)
G9. Trendy point of view, for example (8)
The second preliminary proceeded after an hour. We left for lunch and hoped to make it back for the finals 2 hours later.
to be continued....
Jay
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Times Crossword Championship 2012- Part1
 |
| Here at last! |
The previous year I had missed going to a pub quiz conducted by one John Henderson - highly recommended by Priya. This time around I was hopeful not to miss it. The same night, however, we had got tickets for the stage version of "Chariots of Fire" and that was a must-see. As there was time afterwords, we made our way to the White Hart at Whitechapel. The pub quiz had a few rounds left and I had a glimpse into how John skillfully constructed each round of questions with a common thread linking the answers.When it was over , I was introduced to John Henderson aka The Enigmatist - a master crossword setter and solver.
 | ||||
| With the Enigmatist |
We had a nice chat regarding - what else ? - crosswords and cluing. It was then he casually mentioned that THE Times Crossword Championship was being held that Saturday! He was part of the organizing team and was not taking part AND he was responsible for 1 of the competition crosswords!
Ever since I was hooked on the Times crossword ( featured in our NST ) I had read quite a bit about this legendary competition. John was the winner in 1996.I mentioned to Priya that we had to attend the competition.Turned out it was within walking distance from where she lived!
John kindly got our names and said that we would be invited as special guests and all we had to do was to inform security of our names!
Now crossword solving is not a spectator sport - and I'm sure that he was very happy at having us there and experiencing a rare treat. The fastest solvers as well as solvers who wanted to see how they fare in a competition - would be there. He mentioned that it was too late to accept new entries!
Being aware of the format - 2 heats and 1 final - each of them with 3 crosswords to solve in 1 hour - I knew that I did not have the speed to complete even 1 crossword in that time.
 | |||||
| hmm, crosswords... |
 |
| 1st heat of the Championship about to get underway |
Soon, an announcement was made and 90 contestants got into the competition hall. There was an introduction by Richard Browne, the Times crossword editor. Then David Levy, the organizer , rattled out some of the rules - clear writing, no usage of any other blank paper and absolutely no phones ringing. With that, the competition began.
 | ||
| Sole Spectator |
Twenty five minutes into the heats , we had the 1st submission. 3 crosswords with 90 clues done in less than half an hour. Talk about fast! The hour drew near and the 1st heat was over. As the contestants went out for tea and snacks, Priya and I met up with a couple of old friends I had met the year before.They remembered me as Derek Harrison's friend. First was Oli Grant.
 | |||
| Oli and Jay |
 | |||
| Chris and Priya |
Soon, the results were announced - the first 12 would go into the finals.Oli made it!
 | |||
| Closest I'll come to... |
Jay
Sunday, November 4, 2012
X-Factor Answers Explanation
Visual Key to Clue Analysis :
Definition : BOLD
Wordplay : Italics with keywords underlined as well
Link : Normal
___________________________________________________________
O8. Stunts with tree feller none of them ending in disappointment (10)
stunts = antics
tree = lime
feller = axe
none of them with ending means take out the last letter for all of them.Then we have
antic lim ax = anticlimax = disappointment
P8. Whirlwind romance's beginning in proposal with kiss (6)
romance's beginning = R
proposal = vote
kiss = X
VO R TE X
vortex = whirlwind
Q8. Take plane from here, perhaps to circle lake and wood (7)
to = TO circle = O lake = L wood = BOX
TOOLBOX = take plane from here, perhaps ( Toolbox contains a variety of tools, of which , plane is one. )
R8. Cross on a German square depicting St. Francis (6)
cross = X
a German square = a vier
X a vier
S8. Trots like this? Ran six miles in bursts between motorways (7-8)
bursts is anagram indicator and fodder is "ran six miles in"
motorway = M
Hence we have answer outline as follows : M (ransixmilesin M
Definition is very neat - referring to Trots as Commies and not the Verb
Commies love Marxism-Leninism
T8. Stuffing mix ready for mincing on time (9)
Mincing is anagram indicator and refers to mixready
last letter is T ( time )
we have Taxidermy = Stuffing
U8. After border exchange, old German immigrant comes to this island (5)
old German immigrant = Saxon
Saxon ( after border exchange ) = Naxos which is an island
V8. Fellow had audience at Palace, perhaps, taking in Times article and some verse (9)
Fellow = He
had audience at Palace, perhaps = met ER ( er being queen )
times article = X A
He XA meter = hexameter = some verse
W8. Compound I travel round on farm animal (4,5)
i travel = i ride
round is containment indicator
i ride is around ON OX (farm animal )
I R ON OX IDE = compound
Jay
Definition : BOLD
Wordplay : Italics with keywords underlined as well
Link : Normal
___________________________________________________________
O8. Stunts with tree feller none of them ending in disappointment (10)
stunts = antics
tree = lime
feller = axe
none of them with ending means take out the last letter for all of them.Then we have
antic lim ax = anticlimax = disappointment
P8. Whirlwind romance's beginning in proposal with kiss (6)
romance's beginning = R
proposal = vote
kiss = X
VO R TE X
vortex = whirlwind
Q8. Take plane from here, perhaps to circle lake and wood (7)
to = TO circle = O lake = L wood = BOX
TOOLBOX = take plane from here, perhaps ( Toolbox contains a variety of tools, of which , plane is one. )
R8. Cross on a German square depicting St. Francis (6)
cross = X
a German square = a vier
X a vier
S8. Trots like this? Ran six miles in bursts between motorways (7-8)
bursts is anagram indicator and fodder is "ran six miles in"
motorway = M
Hence we have answer outline as follows : M (ransixmilesin M
Definition is very neat - referring to Trots as Commies and not the Verb
Commies love Marxism-Leninism
T8. Stuffing mix ready for mincing on time (9)
Mincing is anagram indicator and refers to mixready
last letter is T ( time )
we have Taxidermy = Stuffing
U8. After border exchange, old German immigrant comes to this island (5)
old German immigrant = Saxon
Saxon ( after border exchange ) = Naxos which is an island
V8. Fellow had audience at Palace, perhaps, taking in Times article and some verse (9)
Fellow = He
had audience at Palace, perhaps = met ER ( er being queen )
times article = X A
He XA meter = hexameter = some verse
W8. Compound I travel round on farm animal (4,5)
i travel = i ride
round is containment indicator
i ride is around ON OX (farm animal )
I R ON OX IDE = compound
Jay
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
X Factor
Recently, NST had a single crossword in which there were 9 answers with X in each of them.Here are the clues.
O8. Stunts with tree feller none of them ending in disappointment (10) _ _ _ I _ _ _ _ A _
P8. Whirlwind romance's beginning in proposal with kiss (6) _ O _ _ _ _
Q8. Take plane from here, perhaps to circle lake and wood (7) _ O _ _ _ O _
R8. Cross on a German square depicting St. Francis (6) _ _ _ I _ _
S8. Trots like this? Ran six miles in bursts between motorways (7-8) _ _ R _ _ S _ _ E _ _ N _ _ _
T8. Stuffing mix ready for mincing on time (9) _ _ _ _ D _ _ _ _
U8. After border exchange, old German immigrant comes to this island (5) _ A _ _ _
V8. Fellow had audience at Palace, perhaps, taking in Times article and some verse (9) H _ _ _ _ E _ _ _
W8. Compound I travel round on farm animal (4,5) _ R _ _ _ _ _ D _
Jay
O8. Stunts with tree feller none of them ending in disappointment (10) _ _ _ I _ _ _ _ A _
P8. Whirlwind romance's beginning in proposal with kiss (6) _ O _ _ _ _
Q8. Take plane from here, perhaps to circle lake and wood (7) _ O _ _ _ O _
R8. Cross on a German square depicting St. Francis (6) _ _ _ I _ _
S8. Trots like this? Ran six miles in bursts between motorways (7-8) _ _ R _ _ S _ _ E _ _ N _ _ _
T8. Stuffing mix ready for mincing on time (9) _ _ _ _ D _ _ _ _
U8. After border exchange, old German immigrant comes to this island (5) _ A _ _ _
V8. Fellow had audience at Palace, perhaps, taking in Times article and some verse (9) H _ _ _ _ E _ _ _
W8. Compound I travel round on farm animal (4,5) _ R _ _ _ _ _ D _
Jay
Explanation for Potpourri 18
Visual Key to Clue Analysis :
Definition : BOLD
Wordplay : Italics with keywords underlined as well
Link : Normal
___________________________________________________________
G8. Report about
heroin and cannabis
Report = bang
Heroin = h
Bang about h = bhang = cannabis
H8. Try to get a lift
in Northumberland
In is containment indicator ; answer is in norTHUMBerland
I8. American ally about to control one African country
American ally = Bud ( short for buddy )
About is containment indicator
Control = run one
= i
BU RUN D I = African
country
J8. They make fast
speed when sailing under marine hazard
Speed when sailing = knots
Under indicates positional indicator
Marine hazard = reef
Reef knots is the answer
K8. She's eye-pleasing but out
Out is anagram indicator
Rearranging “eye pleasing but” we have Sleeping Beauty
L8. Compassionate
and at first cock-a-hoop?
At first cock = C
A hoop = a ring
Answer is Caring
M8. Walk quietly around inner most part of Chinese
area - you might see this?
Walk quietly = pad
Inner most part of chiNese = N
Area = A
Around is containment indicator
PA N D A is the answer
N8. Dealer turning up A Study in Scarlet
, perhaps ?
A study in Scarlet = red art
Reversing it we have Trader
Jay
Monday, April 23, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Don't play-play with crossword setters
This piece of news is more than a year-old but it's great how crossword setters outwitted the boss and sent the message to all readers.
Potpourri 18
G8. Report about heroin and cannabis (5) _ _ A _ _
H8. Try to get a lift in Northumberland (5) _ _ _ M _
I8. American ally about to control one African country (7) _ U _ _ _ _ _
J8. They make fast speed when sailing under marine hazard (4,5) R _ _ _ _ N _ _ _
K8. She's eye-pleasing but out (8,6) _ _ E _ _ _ N _ _ E _ _ _ _
L8. Compassionate and at first cock-a-hoop? (6) _ _ R _ _ _
M8. Walk quietly around inner most part of Chinese area - you might see this? (5) _ _ N _ _
N8. Dealer turning up A Study in Scarlet , perhaps ? (6) _ _ A _ _ _
Jay
H8. Try to get a lift in Northumberland (5) _ _ _ M _
I8. American ally about to control one African country (7) _ U _ _ _ _ _
J8. They make fast speed when sailing under marine hazard (4,5) R _ _ _ _ N _ _ _
K8. She's eye-pleasing but out (8,6) _ _ E _ _ _ N _ _ E _ _ _ _
L8. Compassionate and at first cock-a-hoop? (6) _ _ R _ _ _
M8. Walk quietly around inner most part of Chinese area - you might see this? (5) _ _ N _ _
N8. Dealer turning up A Study in Scarlet , perhaps ? (6) _ _ A _ _ _
Jay
Answers to "Height related"
A8. Carabiners
B8. Plateau
C8. Steeper
D8. Bouldering
E8. Treetop
F8. Rappels
B8. Plateau
C8. Steeper
D8. Bouldering
E8. Treetop
F8. Rappels
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Height-related
A8. Mountaineer’s clips badly scare Brian (10) _ _ R _ _ _ N _ _ _
B8. High spot recently snared by Penny Gold (7) _ _ A _ _ A _
C8. Guide : “Outside of gym is harder to climb” (7) _ T _ _ _ E _
D8. Rock climbing I bungled or botched (10) _ _ _ L _ _ R _ _ _
E8. Scrambled to Peter’s high spot (7) _ R _ _ _ _ _
F8. Comes down the rock with red rotten apples (7) _ A _ _ E _ _
Answers for “Trees”
R7 Sassafras
S7 Maple
T7 Catalpa
U7 Larch
V7 Jacaranda
W7 Evergreen
X7 Buckeye
Y7 Papaw
Z7 Avocado
Jay
Explanation for Ellipsis-2
Visual Key to Clue Analysis :
Definition : BOLD
Wordplay : Italics with keywords underlined as well
Link : Normal
___________________________________________________________
Definition : BOLD
Wordplay : Italics with keywords underlined as well
Link : Normal
___________________________________________________________
A7. Two players taking up Arabic lute ... (3)
Two players = duo
‘Taking up’ indicates reversal ; hence duo is changes to OUD which is an Arabic lute
B7. ... fast come to prefer flutes,etc (4,3,4)
Double definition. Matching both defs the answer is “like the wind”
C7. Gruesome globe put in, in the middle of ... (6)
Globe = orb ; in the middle of = mid
Orb is put in ‘mid’ to obtain “morbid” which is “gruesome”
D7. ... Models of solar system - ie errors get made (8)
Anagram of ie errors is orreries – models of solar system
E7. Hesitation in a right toff's reasoning ... (8)
Hesitation = um
A right toff’s = A R GENT ; UM in ARGENT gives us ARGUMENT
F7. ...can put up charge for fertiliser (7) _
Can = tin ; put up is reversal indicator and so Tin is changed to NIT
Charge = rate and we have nitrate which is a fertiliser
G7. Pardoning a criminal that's responsible for producing notes...(5,5)
Criminal is anagram indicator and rearranging “pardoning a” gives us grand piano
H7. ... half hidden, mischievous but public-spirited (9)
Hidden = unseen ; half od unseen = uns
Mischievous = elfish
Together , we have unselfish which is public – spirited
Jay
Monday, March 26, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Trees
R7. In two seconds, moving as far as tree (9) _ _ S _ _ _ R _ _
S7. Tree guy going around park (5) _ A _ _ _
T7. With feline, mount a tree (7) _ _ _ A _ _ A
U7. In particular, Christmas tree (5) _ _ _ _ H
V7. Jack stands in front of a vehicle and a tree (9) _ A_ _ R _ _ _ _
W7. Queen Elizabeth, in revenge, chopped up tree (9) _ _ E _ _ R _ _ _
X7. Plastic cube holding essential tree (7) _ _ _ _ E _ E
Y7. Ernest Hemingway, with tree (5) _ _ P _ _
Z7. Widespread confusion after the first trouble with tree (7) A _ _ _ A_ _
Answers for "dogs"
I7. Spaniel
J7.Whippet
K7.Retriever
L7.Dingo
M7.Hound
N7.Seeing Eye
O7.Sirius
P7.Whelp
Q7.Samoyed
Jay
S7. Tree guy going around park (5) _ A _ _ _
T7. With feline, mount a tree (7) _ _ _ A _ _ A
U7. In particular, Christmas tree (5) _ _ _ _ H
V7. Jack stands in front of a vehicle and a tree (9) _ A_ _ R _ _ _ _
W7. Queen Elizabeth, in revenge, chopped up tree (9) _ _ E _ _ R _ _ _
X7. Plastic cube holding essential tree (7) _ _ _ _ E _ E
Y7. Ernest Hemingway, with tree (5) _ _ P _ _
Z7. Widespread confusion after the first trouble with tree (7) A _ _ _ A_ _
Answers for "dogs"
I7. Spaniel
J7.Whippet
K7.Retriever
L7.Dingo
M7.Hound
N7.Seeing Eye
O7.Sirius
P7.Whelp
Q7.Samoyed
Jay
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Dogs
I7. Long story about a new dog (7) _ _ _ N _ _ _
J7. Switch favourite breed of dog (7) _ _ _ P _ _ _
K7. Labrador, perhaps, confused tree with river (9) _ E _ _ _ _ _ E _
L7. Racket game played by Japanese canine (5) _ _ N _ _
M7. Dog who understands to a certain extent (5) _ _ _ N _
N7. Type of dog you set after geese in wild(6,3) _ E _ _ _ _ E _ _
O7. Important sounding dog star (6) _ _ R _ _ _
P7. Puppy with means of assistance (5) _ _ E _ _
Q7. Sled dog getting loose someday (7) _ A _ _ _ E _
Answers for "golf"
N6. Mark O'Meara
O6. Wood
P6. Threesome
Q6. Betsy King
R6. Serif
S6. Soda
T6. Lee Trevino
U6. Mulligans
V6. Opens
W6. Alienate
X6. Nick Faldo
Y6. Birdie
Z6. Gallery
Jay
J7. Switch favourite breed of dog (7) _ _ _ P _ _ _
K7. Labrador, perhaps, confused tree with river (9) _ E _ _ _ _ _ E _
L7. Racket game played by Japanese canine (5) _ _ N _ _
M7. Dog who understands to a certain extent (5) _ _ _ N _
N7. Type of dog you set after geese in wild(6,3) _ E _ _ _ _ E _ _
O7. Important sounding dog star (6) _ _ R _ _ _
P7. Puppy with means of assistance (5) _ _ E _ _
Q7. Sled dog getting loose someday (7) _ A _ _ _ E _
Answers for "golf"
N6. Mark O'Meara
O6. Wood
P6. Threesome
Q6. Betsy King
R6. Serif
S6. Soda
T6. Lee Trevino
U6. Mulligans
V6. Opens
W6. Alienate
X6. Nick Faldo
Y6. Birdie
Z6. Gallery
Jay
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Ellipsis-2
Visual Key to Clue Analysis :
Definition : BOLD
Wordplay : Italics with keywords underlined as well
Link : Normal
___________________________________________________________
F6. Playfully, require nothing but ...(8)
Require nothing but = Want only
wantonly = playfully
G6. ... convenience in game. (3)
convenience = loo which is also a game
H6. Rhode Island woman admitted into close circle ... (8)
Rhode island = RI woman = Di close = mean
Me RI DI an gives us meridian which is a circle
I6. ... knowing Katharina's daughter (6) Katharina( from Taming of the Shrew) = Shrew
Daughter = D
Shrewd = Knowing
J6. This bean is put through the mill to make a drink ... (8)
anagram of 'this bean' is absinthe which is a drink
K6. ... taking two months to extract essence (6)
two months = Dec and Oct
Together they form Decoct which is to extract essence
L6. Singular articles in long letter ... (6)
singular = S
articles = creed
screed = long letter
M6. ... about wife, one first to be opened (9)
wife = W
about is container indicator ; hence "one first" must be placed around W.
one = UN
first here refers to the answer from the previous clue "screed"
so we have un scre w ed giving us unscrewed = opened.
here, the ellipsis supposedly justifies the unusual usage of "first" as referring to the previous clue --tied to it by those dots!
Here are a few more clues making use of those dots to achieve smoother reading.
A7. Two players taking up Arabic lute ... (3) _ _ _
B7. ... fast come to prefer flutes,etc (4,3,4) _ _ _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ D
C7. Gruesome globe put in, in the middle of ... (6) _ O _ _ _ _
D7. ... Models of solar system - ie errors get made (8) _ R _ _ R _ _ _
E7. Hesitation in a right toff's reasoning ... (8) _ R _ _ _ E _ _
F7. ...can put up charge for fertiliser (7) _ _ _ R _ _ E
G7. Pardoning a criminal that's responsible for producing notes...(5,5) _ R _ _ _ _ _ A _ _
H7. ... half hidden, mischievous but public-spirited (9) _ _ _ E _ _ _ S _
Jay
Definition : BOLD
Wordplay : Italics with keywords underlined as well
Link : Normal
___________________________________________________________
F6. Playfully, require nothing but ...(8)
Require nothing but = Want only
wantonly = playfully
G6. ... convenience in game. (3)
convenience = loo which is also a game
H6. Rhode Island woman admitted into close circle ... (8)
Rhode island = RI woman = Di close = mean
Me RI DI an gives us meridian which is a circle
I6. ... knowing Katharina's daughter (6) Katharina( from Taming of the Shrew) = Shrew
Daughter = D
Shrewd = Knowing
J6. This bean is put through the mill to make a drink ... (8)
anagram of 'this bean' is absinthe which is a drink
K6. ... taking two months to extract essence (6)
two months = Dec and Oct
Together they form Decoct which is to extract essence
L6. Singular articles in long letter ... (6)
singular = S
articles = creed
screed = long letter
M6. ... about wife, one first to be opened (9)
wife = W
about is container indicator ; hence "one first" must be placed around W.
one = UN
first here refers to the answer from the previous clue "screed"
so we have un scre w ed giving us unscrewed = opened.
here, the ellipsis supposedly justifies the unusual usage of "first" as referring to the previous clue --tied to it by those dots!
Here are a few more clues making use of those dots to achieve smoother reading.
A7. Two players taking up Arabic lute ... (3) _ _ _
B7. ... fast come to prefer flutes,etc (4,3,4) _ _ _ _ _ _ E _ _ _ D
C7. Gruesome globe put in, in the middle of ... (6) _ O _ _ _ _
D7. ... Models of solar system - ie errors get made (8) _ R _ _ R _ _ _
E7. Hesitation in a right toff's reasoning ... (8) _ R _ _ _ E _ _
F7. ...can put up charge for fertiliser (7) _ _ _ R _ _ E
G7. Pardoning a criminal that's responsible for producing notes...(5,5) _ R _ _ _ _ _ A _ _
H7. ... half hidden, mischievous but public-spirited (9) _ _ _ E _ _ _ S _
Jay
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Golf
Here are a few clues related to golf.
N6. Bad karma surrounding a more troubled golfer (4,6) _ _ R _ O _ _ _ _ _
O6. Shortened Tiger's golf club (4) _ _ O _
P6. Homer tees off group of golfers (9) _ _ _ E _ _ O _ _
Q6. Wager on skin game, originally taking unknown golfer (5,4) _ _ _ _ _ _ I _ _
R6. Writer's stroke shoots the wrong way (5) _ _ R _ _
S6. Clump of grass next to a drink (4) _ O _ _
T6. Golfer with terrible lie, ten over (3,7) _ _ _ _ _ E _ _ N _
U6. Circling green, ponder Scotsman's second-chance shots (9) _ _ _ L _ _ _ N _
V6. Nothing confines some tournaments (5) _ _ E _ _
W6. Cut off from a tee, nail rough (9) _ _ I _ _ A _ _
X6. Lack of din upset golfer (4,5) _ I _ _ _ _ L _ _
Y6. Attempt that is about right for very good score on a hole (6) _ _ R _ _ _
Z6. Tournament spectators regally treated (7) _ _ L _ _ _ _
1972 answers :
A6. Miners
B6. Picketed
C6. Watergate
D6. Nixon
E6. Encoders
Jay
N6. Bad karma surrounding a more troubled golfer (4,6) _ _ R _ O _ _ _ _ _
O6. Shortened Tiger's golf club (4) _ _ O _
P6. Homer tees off group of golfers (9) _ _ _ E _ _ O _ _
Q6. Wager on skin game, originally taking unknown golfer (5,4) _ _ _ _ _ _ I _ _
R6. Writer's stroke shoots the wrong way (5) _ _ R _ _
S6. Clump of grass next to a drink (4) _ O _ _
T6. Golfer with terrible lie, ten over (3,7) _ _ _ _ _ E _ _ N _
U6. Circling green, ponder Scotsman's second-chance shots (9) _ _ _ L _ _ _ N _
V6. Nothing confines some tournaments (5) _ _ E _ _
W6. Cut off from a tee, nail rough (9) _ _ I _ _ A _ _
X6. Lack of din upset golfer (4,5) _ I _ _ _ _ L _ _
Y6. Attempt that is about right for very good score on a hole (6) _ _ R _ _ _
Z6. Tournament spectators regally treated (7) _ _ L _ _ _ _
1972 answers :
A6. Miners
B6. Picketed
C6. Watergate
D6. Nixon
E6. Encoders
Jay
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Ellipsis
These are clues in crosswords that when read continuously provide a meaningful surface reading. By themselves , they don't quite do that. However, they are to be solved separately. Here is an example :
On hospital department I depend, without qualification ... (8)
... we can count on it if a vehicle rolls over us (6)
Let's look at the first clue :
On hospital department I depend, without qualification
hospital department = ENT I depend = I rely
Combining them, we have ENTIRELY = Without qualification
The 2nd clue :
we can count on it if a vehicle rolls over us
a vehicle = a cab ; cab "rolls over" is to reverse cab to get BAC
so we have A BAC US ( which we can count on )
So, the answers are obtained based on each clue. However, the reason for the ellipsis ( ... ) in this case is to obtain a single surface reading . Does it succeed? I think so. We get an image of a statement in the first person - that he counts on the hospital dept to look after him in case of accident.
Here are a few questions that use ellipsis.
F6. Playfully, require nothing but ...(8) _ _ N _ _ N _ _
G6. ... convenience in game. (3) _ _ _
H6. Rhode Island woman admitted into close circle ... (8) _ _ _ _ _ I _ _
I6. ... knowing Katharina's daughter (6) _ _ _ E _ _
J6. This bean is put through the mill to make a drink ... (8) _ _ S _ _ T _ _
K6. ... taking two months to extract essence (6) _ _ _ O _ _
L6. Singular articles in long letter ... (6) _ _ _ E _ _
M6. ... about wife, one first to be opened (9) _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _
Jay
On hospital department I depend, without qualification ... (8)
... we can count on it if a vehicle rolls over us (6)
Let's look at the first clue :
On hospital department I depend, without qualification
hospital department = ENT I depend = I rely
Combining them, we have ENTIRELY = Without qualification
The 2nd clue :
we can count on it if a vehicle rolls over us
a vehicle = a cab ; cab "rolls over" is to reverse cab to get BAC
so we have A BAC US ( which we can count on )
So, the answers are obtained based on each clue. However, the reason for the ellipsis ( ... ) in this case is to obtain a single surface reading . Does it succeed? I think so. We get an image of a statement in the first person - that he counts on the hospital dept to look after him in case of accident.
Here are a few questions that use ellipsis.
F6. Playfully, require nothing but ...(8) _ _ N _ _ N _ _
G6. ... convenience in game. (3) _ _ _
H6. Rhode Island woman admitted into close circle ... (8) _ _ _ _ _ I _ _
I6. ... knowing Katharina's daughter (6) _ _ _ E _ _
J6. This bean is put through the mill to make a drink ... (8) _ _ S _ _ T _ _
K6. ... taking two months to extract essence (6) _ _ _ O _ _
L6. Singular articles in long letter ... (6) _ _ _ E _ _
M6. ... about wife, one first to be opened (9) _ _ _ _ R _ _ _ _
Jay
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
1972
Cryptonite Chian Min drew my attention to today's ( Feb 1 ) NST crossword.It is a rare one in the sense that the Times Crosswords are rarely themed.
This one has 5 questions related to the year 1972 - most of you were not born yet. But you can google!
Give them a try.They are not too hard.Remember the Times is from England.
A6. Extractors out in 1972?(6) M _ _ _ R _
B6. What A6 did in 1972 (elect Heath to protect energy?) (8) _ _ _ K _ _ _ _
C6. Great Tew, a curious target for a 1972 break-in (9) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
D6. President re-elected in 1972 could barely have this! (5) _ _ _ _ _
E6. Cipher experts sneer terribly about focus of 1972 war (8) _ _ _ _ _ E _ _
Jay
This one has 5 questions related to the year 1972 - most of you were not born yet. But you can google!
Give them a try.They are not too hard.Remember the Times is from England.
A6. Extractors out in 1972?(6) M _ _ _ R _
B6. What A6 did in 1972 (elect Heath to protect energy?) (8) _ _ _ K _ _ _ _
C6. Great Tew, a curious target for a 1972 break-in (9) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
D6. President re-elected in 1972 could barely have this! (5) _ _ _ _ _
E6. Cipher experts sneer terribly about focus of 1972 war (8) _ _ _ _ _ E _ _
Jay
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Happy Holidays
To all our Chinese visitors, from the cryptonites :
Greeting half-dragon ; good times if i hold a current account! ( 4,2,2,3 )
Greeting half-dragon ; good times if i hold a current account! ( 4,2,2,3 )
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Puzzle 11 Answers
Visual Key to Clue Analysis :
Definition : BOLD
Wordplay : Italics with keywords underlined as well
Link : Normal
___________________________________________________________
Definition : BOLD
Wordplay : Italics with keywords underlined as well
Link : Normal
___________________________________________________________
Answer Explanation to “Finals”
1A It’s a sin to swallow half the sweet!
Sweet = licorice
Half of it is LICO
‘swallow’ is container indicator
Si lico n
Answer : Silicon ( element )
4A Spoil a feature so gripping
Spoil = mar
A feature = a chin
‘gripping’ is container indicator
So ‘gripping’ chin , we have s chin o
Answer : Maraschino ( drink )
8A No information about unknowns
No = o
Information = gen
Unknowns = xy
Answer : Oxygen ( element )
11A Including single, not one to be taken in head over heels
Including = inc
Single = ep
One = i
I ‘to be taken in’ by NOT gives us NOIT
NOIT ‘head over heels’ = TION
Answer : Inception ( movie )
13A Me? I’ll be fifty-five, engaged (bachelor no more) and her man besides!
Fifty five = LV
Bachelor no more means take out B
LV ‘engaged’ by ME I’LL BE gives us ME LV ILL BE
Taking out B gives us MELVILLE
HER MAN besides gives us Herman Melville
Answer : Herman Melville ( writer )
15A Mother has right to a thong - almost.
Mother = MA
Right = R
A thong ( almost ) = A THON
Answer : Marathon ( battle )
16A G-rated film introducing you to lead acting part
Film ‘introducing’ = F
You = U
Lead ‘acting’ anagrammed is L DEA
‘part’ is insertion indicator
So FU L DEA enters G RATED giving us GRATE FUL DEA D
Answer : Grateful Dead ( band )
17A Power goes west or to the Middle East first,Uncle Sam
Power = P
OR goes west = RO
‘to’ is juxtaposition indicator
So, PRO is put next to THE
But Middle East comes ‘first’
Hence its PRO ME THE
Uncle Sam = US
Answer : Prometheus ( Greek Myth )
18A Put new spin on issues – baseless!
Put and on are juxtaposition indicators
New = N
Spin = ARC
Issues ‘baseless’ = issus ( E is a logarithmic base )
Answer : Narcissus ( Flower )
19A Albion warfare ace, perhaps
Anagram of Albion warfare ace gives us Lawrence of Arabia
Answer : Lawrence of Arabia ( movie )
1D Lower anchor with ship heading to port
Lower = under
Anchor = land
Ship heading = S
S to port means S is moved to the left
Answer : Sunderland ( football club )
2D Poor imitation
Poor = cheap
Imitation = trick
Answer : Cheap Trick ( band )
3D Brits were troubled by old Lancelot and Guinevere taking in king.
Brits ‘were troubled ‘ = BRIST
Old = O
Lancelot and Guinevere = LOVERS
Taking in king means to put in R
Answer : Bristol Rovers ( football club )
5D Second team returns to host English side with points
Second = S team = SIDE
S SIDE ‘returns’ = EDISS
English = E side = L points = WE
EDISS ‘hosts’ E L WE
Answer : Edelweiss ( flower )
6D Company accepted that I included Rock, actor and player.
Company = AG
Accepted = A
Rock, actor = Chris
THAT I ‘included’ CHRIS gives us THA CHRIS T I
Player = E
Answer : Agatha Christie ( writer )
7D No one beat cheat up
No one = NO I
Beat = LAM
Cheat = Gyp
‘up’ is reversal indicator turning NO I LAM GYP to
Answer : Pygmalion ( Greek Myth )
9D Knight breaks fall with pole
Knight = K
K breaks FALL gives us FAL K L
With = AND
Pole = S
Answer : Falklands ( battle )
10D It changes hands causing faux pas with fashionable names.
Faux pas = ERROR
Fashionable = FLY
Names = NN
ERROR changing hands means that originally the answer is ERROL
Answer : Errol Flynn ( movie star )
12D Put on record to re-cycle
Put on record = chart
Re-cycle = reuse
Answer : Chartreuse ( drink )
14D Rip cloth across back – very advanced cut.
Rip = rend
Cloth = rag
Across = a
Rend rag a ‘back’ gives us A GAR DNER
Very advanced = VA
VA ‘cut’ A GARDNER gives us AVA GARDNER
Answer : Ava Gardner ( movie star )
Jay
Monday, January 2, 2012
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