Crossword Centre Prize Puzzle June 2022

 Repatriation by Hawk

The government is in the process of repatriating a set of (in its view) unwanted characters. Most are waiting for flights alongside regular travellers. Two have gone to ground, and are hiding elsewhere in unchecked cells.

1A and 47 represent the airport departure lounges, initially to be filled with seven answers entered side-by-side where they will fit, but without separating bars. Clues for these are given in alphabetical order of their answers.

Solvers must systematically identify all unwanted characters in the completed grid, and replace them with acceptable alternatives. Eight of the numbered clues contain an extra word, to be removed before solving. Each is a definition of one of the new entries formed by the exercise. In addition, the departure lounges must display two four-word phrases providing some oblique commentary, possibly suggesting that the process i) isn't ideal and ii) reveals a somewhat casual attitude.

The Chambers Dictionary (2016) is the primary source. 1D and one final phrase are in The Collins Dictionary

PDF copy

Departure Lounges

Nightjar dropping setter's insect (3)

Girl making short spacewalk (3)

Oundle's first former pupil's clutching The Dandy (3)

Musical essentially lacking syrup of old (4)

State letter eaten by marmoset (6)

Busybody buries spring onion (4)

Which publisher's case? (5)

 

Across

11  In which activity is in me – the wrong way? (6)

12  Uzbekistan’s capital of sport (4)

13  Sad cry from carriage interior (4)

15  Cupar's rogue male adult deer briefly shelters (5)

17  Mark arrives to replace bar's new bird impersonators (5)

19  Shed divides sheep, after a fashion (8)

21  Lord tucks into El Salvador terrapin (4)

23  They’re used in Yokohama sushi (5)

24  Floating matter around Portobello to disgust passing swimmer (4)

25  Oilseed plant to appear all over Mauritius (6)

27  Basically they mean powdered trifle's incomplete (7)

29  Pipes Queen aboard marine dockside, essentially (7)

30  Is occupying No 10 mostly criminal? (6)

32  Shoot captured in legacy media (4)

34  Fools tree-huggers in Millets (8)

38  Victim of corrupt Iago's schemes isn't wanting the messing about (6)

40  Contrarily, sink's a space-filler (3)

41  Schutzstaffel entertained by letter’s poetic end (5)

42  Retired face-ache's stuffing pouches (5)

43  Stews 70% of semolina varieties (7)

44  Cairngorms shelter's southern projection (4)

45  Advancing son is swearing – Mum pardons (6)  
46  They partially digest Aberdeen's seagulls (4)

 

Down

1    Historically execute dictator's feudal tenures (5)

2    Penny red's heading off for British halfpennies down under (5)

3    Bugs could be seen in Michigan film (5)

4    Ceremonial chain link being shortened (3)

5    Cry of delight, having made pawn advance in game (4, two words)

6    College eccentric issues protective legwear (7)

7    Members acquiring another's books (5)

8    Local frames poetry, ignoring title (5)

9    Academic union in lawsuits to reveal political activities (8)

10  Is arrogant when electromotive force set in problems (7)

14  Understanding terrible omens in more than one department (5)

16  Farrow excluded, number reveals source of milk (5)

18  Tear gas commanders initially sprayed in clubs (5)

20  Recalled what fraudsters do in trees (6)

22  Malta's rivals leaving navy in hysterical fits (7)

25  Accountant blocks appeal for bishop's vestment (6)

26  Girl's ulcer is ignored (3)

28  Mobile art galleries? Maybe Clio's not sure (7)

31  Slimy surface – lettuce mould’s reduced with it (6)

33  Wood from Caribbean island around and about (5)

34  Edible tuber in Cape palm houses (5)

35  Rusty lock's English after German's left (5)

36  Try a bit of something easy for a change (5)

37  Plaster bandages stop soda bottles (5)

39  Herbal remedies a gypsy protects (4)

40  Ingredient of wild ragu? (4)

42           Aging relative to chat endlessly (3)

To enter this competition, send your entry as an image or in list forma giving the final entries to ccpuzzles@talktalk.net before 8^th July 2022. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers.

Crossword News May 2022

 

Crossword News May 2022

Last month our Prize Puzzle was RR XIV. The theme of Round Robin XIV was Easter Island. That name was given to it by JACOB ROGGEVEEN, who landed there on Easter Sunday, 5th APRIL 1722. Solvers were to change the bottom row to EASTER ISLAND and highlight it along with six MOAI, one of them the ‘unusual’ TUKUTURI.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

A very clever puzzle, with excellent clues throughout, and a well-hidden theme. Many thanks to John Nicholson for putting it together!

A lovely construction, seasonal theme, and some excellent clues. I remember thinking last year that the Round Robin format had led to quite a variation in clue quality, and a reduction (or perhaps imbalance) in clue variety. That didn't seem to be the case at all this year - it held together very nicely as a puzzle, with the balance of clues seemingly just about right (not too many hiddens, composite anagrams, anagrams etc.). Thanks to all involved for an enjoyable solve.

Another fantastic puzzle, a great job by whoever thought up the concept, game and grid design.  Very interesting to solve and educational too.  Many thanks to all involved.

A nicely constructed puzzle on an interesting theme: thanks to John for that and for pulling the whole thing together.

There were 53 entries, of which 3 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner, drawn from the electronic hat, was John Reardon, who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary. 

There is a solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2022/05/rr-xiv-second-capital-solution.html

Many solvers voted for their favourite clues  It should be noted that when one of the answers was TEUTON, John thought it apt to give the clue to Robert Teuton  

These top 5 clues were the only ones that made it into double figures, so well done to these 5:

1st - TEUTON - 32 pts - Robert Teuton 

2nd - TOO BAD - 31 pts - Anax

3rd - DATUK - 26pts - Andrew Macleod

4th - GERONIMO - 24 pts - Phylax

5th - TESTIS - 14 pts - Luciano Ward

Robert has kindly deferred , so the prize will go to Anax. 

Other clues that received points:

ATOCIA - 9pts

DESPAIR - 9pts

INDENT - 6pts

MINOS - 5pts

STEEM - 4pts

TESTE - 4pts

CHILE - 4pts

ESSENE - 3pts
ODIUM - 3pts

CENTIMO - 3pts

LIANE - 3pts

UNMOOR - 2pts

Those on 1pt

HODGE

ICIER

BUTTIES

ESLOIN

TUSSER

TURIN

You still have time to complete the May puzzle, Mayhem Parva by Vagans.

The June Prize Puzzle will be Repatriation by Hawk.
***
It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Neil Shepherd, who set puzzles in the FT as Alberich and in the Independent as Klingsor. Neil was always willing to give help and advice to novice setters and his website Free Crosswords Online was always a good place to find out how to compile and to create grids.

After I pointed out Alberich’s web site I have received a number of requests to save the pages on the Crossword Centre in case the site closes. I am looking seriously into this.
***
It was a shock for me to read of the death of John Young. John Henderson wrote this on 15Squared.

With a very heavy heart, I must pass on to crossword friends the sad news of the death of the compiler John Young. Financial Times solvers will have known him as Dogberry; to Guardian aficionados, he was Shed – and of course one quarter of Biggles. He had been in deteriorating health for some time, never having fully been able to get over the death in 2018 of his mother Audrey (the Guardian setter Audreus)

Hugh Stephenson wrote an obituary for the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/2022/may/12/john-young-obituary
***
The Times also published an obituary to Barbara Hall, the setter behind the Sunday Times crossword for almost 40 years.
Barbara Hall obituary

***
I was not surprised to learn that the Sunday Telegraph plan to close the EV series by the end of July. They want to make more space in the paper version and, as all of their crosswords are going on-line, the EV is often not suitable for interactive solving. Like lots of others, I often do the EV but never post an entry. I feel it would be a great pity if the EV were to come to an end. Paul Henderson expresses similar opinions in his blog. Phi On-line

***
Kate helps solve the Times Crossword.
The duchess of Cambridge revealed her hidden talent as a cruciverbalist during a visit to the University of Glasgow campus where she and Prince William spent 20 minutes meeting students.

Jack Baird, 21, a second-year student, caught the duchess’s eye waving a copy of an old crossword puzzle from The Times. One answer was eluding him: the one about the royal family. The duchess, who has a 2:1 degree in the history of art, grabbed the print-out and offered to help.

The clue concerned a subject on which she should be well-briefed: the Queen’s financial arrangements. Kate was, apparently, “thrilled” to get it right.

Baird said afterwards that he had been stuck on “seven-down”, which was about the “sovereign’s annual allowance”.

“It was two words of five and four letters,” he said. “I couldn’t get the second word. I gave it to Kate and asked her as I’m sure she would have known. And she said it was ‘Civil List’.

Best wishes
Derek

RR XIV - Second Capital SOLUTION

 Round Robin XIV Solution

The theme of Round Robin XIV is Easter Island. That name was given to it by JACOB ROGGEVEEN, who landed there on Easter Sunday, 5^th APRIL 1722. Solvers were to change the bottom row to EASTER ISLAND and highlight it along with six MOAI, one of them the ‘unusual’ TUKUTURI.

Crossword Centre Prize Puzzle May 2022

 Mayhem Parva by Vagans

PDF version

 Villainy is afoot once again in an English village. Extra letters given by the wordplay of down clues (not to be entered) spell out a hint which can help identify the serial protagonist (and avoid two red herrings linked to the location). Solvers should highlight the name of the village (12) and the person responsible for the events (6) (17 cells in all). Chambers is recommended.

Across

    1    Good pop group's music with strong rhythm (5)

    5    Spanish Christian rabble surrounds royal horsewoman (7)

    10    Alastair's odd roar is out of order (4)

    11    Publishers receive a wooden bowl in Holyrood (4)

    13    Not at all game, not I (6)

    14    Stylish in neckwear concealing worn facial feature (6)

    15    Blue blood flowing - Bob's not mingled with it - in old-fashioned single combat (6)

    17    Feel sad about decapitated bird (5)

    18    Thorny wood, sharp, put back round head of Bethlehemite (5)

    20    Environmentally concerned nation has no support in upper chamber (8)

    21    Expert holds letter for Medusa? (8)

    27    Queen in drive to broadcast again (5)

    29    Dreamy piece of music when virtual reality's elements added to this (5)

    30    Fool in church returning for bottoms of pies? (6)

    31    Saloon outraged as soon as Edmund said it (6)

    32    Put limits on entertaining traditional game in Texas (6, 2 words)

    35    Murphy likes pudding's filling (4)

    36    In Georgia he clarified buffalo butter (4)

    37    Salesman plans repeat events (7)

    38    Tea, bishop? We hear it's toast and salmon (5)

Down

    1    Clot of sticky stuff on highland river (6)

    2    Bow he's stolen from Ambridge inhabitant? (3)

    3    Black raider in disguise shoots north of Border (6)

    4    Alien has head covered with sheepskin for helmet (6)

    5    Sort of acid bloke with microphone (6)

    6    Old herald's wavy leap unknown (5)

    7    State rules on new beard (3)

    8    Tags eaglets circling heart of shire (7)

    9    Piece about bridge by eastern war poet (6)

    11    Punish youths (they can hold knives in their drawers) (8)

    12    Military Cross on Napoleon's island leads to some sort of toast (5)

    16    Fish in disturbed eastern sound made bird look again (8)

    19    Sprang up after spiked club revealing needle points (7)

    21    Tell for instance one who is keeping in step (6)

    22    Seed covers the Italian surrounded by ears (5)

    23    Suggestion about a Yankee opening (6)

    24    Tired moan from GI back in southern hospital in bed (6)

    25    African-American man re-organised Arbroath when Rector away (6)

    26    Swan tore up old quill-case (6)

    28    Theatrical in a frosty way about part of sound system? (5)

    33    Tropical pea has no superior in land in north (3)

    34    Girl's long-legged bird (3)

To enter this competition, send your entry as an image or in list format giving the final entries to ccpuzzles@talktalk.net before 8^th June 2022. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers.

Crossword News April 2022

 

Crossword News April 2022

The March Prize Puzzle was Endless Shame by Chalicea. Unclued entries gave Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck. Both claimed to be Richard, The Duke of York (the younger of the Princes in the Tower). Both were ultimately recognised to be pretenders. The word PRETENDER had to be highlighted.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

Thanks go to Chalicea for a relatively easy puzzle, as we have come to expect from this setter, but with two or three more obscure answers to have you checking the dictionary - PIOYES, AUMIL, PHEAZAR. I did initially search for IMPOSTOR in the grid, before alighting on PRETENDER.  I'm sure many of us will remember the blue pre-printed aerogram letter forms - a quick check online shows they were only withdrawn in 2012 - though I don't remember them being called BLUEYS.

Thank you Chalicea for some new words (to me) all of them very fairly clued.  Consequently, the grid was not too difficult to complete.  In this I was aided by immediately spotting the subject matter through a combination of the title and the instructions.  Although it was over 50 years ago, I remember Perkin Warbeck and Lambert Simnel from a school history lesson. (So you see, Sir, I was paying attention!  Well at least on that day.)  I suppose the unusual sound if the names help them to stay in one's mind.  I seem to remember that the authors of 1066 And All That had some fun with them too.

When I saw in the preamble (original version) that two names "claimed to be ...", I immediately thought of my history lessons many decades ago and pencilled in "LAMBERT SIMNEL" and "PERKIN WARBECK" before looking at any clues. So filling the grid was unusually quick! I had much more trouble with the highlighting. I quickly ruled out IMPOSTOR but then spent a while looking at the letters of USURPER in rows 3 to 6, columns 1 to 3. It was a long time before I found PRETENDER!  I did not see the revised preamble until after that. The fact that Simnel purported to be the Earl of Warwick rather than Duke of York bothered me at one stage, but the Wikipedia article says "Simon noticed a striking resemblance between Lambert and the sons of Edward IV, so he initially intended to present Simnel as Richard, Duke of York ...", so I wasn’t too fussed!

There were 67 entries and, although many solvers said the puzzle was easy, there were 17 entries marked incorrect, often for invalid spellings of PEIZE or PHEAZAR. The lucky winner, picked from the electronic hat, is Chris Edwards, who will soon be receiving his prize.

There is a full solution with notes at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2022/04/endless-shame-by-chalicea-solution-and.html

You still have plenty time to send in your entry for the April challenge, Round Robin XIV.

The May puzzle will be Mayhem Parva by Vagans.

David Thomson, who sets under the nom de guerre of ‘Vagans’, is a life-long wordaholic, As a young academic he nearly worked for the Oxford English Dictionary before turning his collar round and being ordained in the C of E, ending up as a bishop. In retirement he has been able to give more time to his continuing ’night job' as a mediaevalist, and to try turning his coat round this time, from poacher to gamekeeper in the world of cryptic crosswords. He has had puzzles published in the Listener, IQ, EV, Church Times and (as half of ‘Ovid’) in the Magpie magazine, and there are more in the pipeline. He is enormously grateful to those more experienced setters who have shown him the ropes and helped him on his way.

After May there is a dearth of puzzles to publish. Once again, we are looking for submissions for the summer months.

***
The first weekend of April saw the return of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, after a virtual event in 2021. In the final it was another win for Tyler Hinman, with Dan Feyer in close contention. You can find more information at https://www.crosswordtournament.com/2022/index.htm

Rachel Fabi gives an excellent description of the tournament in this NYT article https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/11/crosswords/crossword-puzzle-tournament-diary.html
***
In March the Listener Crossword Setters’ Dinner was held in Stirling. I watched much of the event on Zoom. You can download a copy of the quiz used at the Listener Crossword Dinner from https://www.jetdoc.co.uk/crossword-and-quiz-links
Shirley Curran  has put her photos from the Listener Dinner weekend at https://www.flickr.com/photos/194321761@N03/sets/72177720297740321/

***
Congratulations to Mick Hodgkin, who will be taking over the post of puzzles editor at The Times.
***
Congrats are also due to the Sunday Times who published puzzle No. 5000 at the end of March. Editor, Peter Biddlecombe wrote this fascinating article https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wordle-crossword-craze-sunday-times-puzzles-kdwc03g67
***
Exciting news! From today, the #SquareRoutes puzzle in #TheTimes can be played interactively in the latest versions of "The Times & The Sunday Times" phone and tablet apps, and on the Times website. Head straight to the Puzzles section for a great new solving experience. Enjoy!
***
In the male-dominated world of crossword setters it is always pleasant to read about a young woman who is having some success. Read more about Anna Shechtman here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-60902128
***
It was very nice to have Robert Teuton dropping in for lunch. Now that he has a granddaughter nearby, I expect to see more of him. He brought the prestigious Crowther Cup with him, fresh from the engraver with Philip Wood’s name added. I hope to have a photo of Philip with the cup soon.

 

 

Best wishes    

Derek Harrison

Endless Shame by Chalicea Solution and Explanations

 Endless Shame by Chalicea Solution and Explanations

Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck both claimed to be Richard, The Duke of York (the younger of the Princes in the Tower). Both were ultimately recognised to be pretenders.

 

Across: 2 Blueys, 7 Grovet, 12 Naan, 13 Bemoiled, 14 Sumacs, 16 Cadee, 17 Unblamed, 18 Hound, 19 Peize, 20 Smalti, 21 Perkin, 22 Warbeck, 23 Ante, 24 Spend, 26 Sese, 29 Sesotho, 32 Down to, 33 Pioyes, 35 Areca, 36 Aumil, 37 Animally, 38 Bindi, 39 Dorado, 40 Seizable, 41 Ever, 42 Yelper, 43 See red.

Down: 1 Unsurpassably, 3 Lambert, 4 Unalike, 5 Yes-men, 6 Smees, 7 Goodman, 8 Richard, 9 Vedute, 10 Edenic, 11 The Duke of York, 15 Unpen, 24 Stylize, 25 Pheazar, 26 Swearer, 27 Enclave, 28 Stal'd, 30 Épuisé, 31 Simnel, 32 Daidle, 34 Snibs.

 

Across: 2 BLUE + Y + (receive)S, 7 G + R + (apr)O(pos), 12 NAN around A, 13 B(r)E(a)M + OILED, 14 {SCAM US}<, 16 CAD + E E, 17 UN + B + LAMED, 18 Hidden, 19 (sus)PE + I + Z + E, 20 DISMALTIME - DIME, 23 ETNA<, 24 S + P + END, 26 SE SE, 29 Hidden, 32 DOWNTO(n), 33 P + I + (p)O(l)Y(m)E(r)S, 35 AREA around C, 36 A + U + MIL, 37 {MAIN ALLY}*, 38 BIN + DI, 39 DO + RA(y) + DO, 40 SIZABLE around (wh)(el)E, 41 (s)EVER(e), 42 REPLY< around E, 43 DECREES< less C.

Down: 1 {LABS SAY RUN UPS}*, 4 Hidden, 5 REPAYMENTS* less PART*, 6 SEEMS<, 7 {NO DOGMA}*, 9 V + ETUDE<, 10 EDEN + IC, 15 UN + PEN, 24 STYLE around (pr)IZ(es), 25 "PHEAZE" heard + AR(e), 26 S + WEARER, 27 EVE round CLAN*, 28 ST + (m)A(u)L(e)D, 30 (h)E(l)P(b)U(s)I(e)S(t) + (servic)E, 32 LADDIE*, 34 S BINS<. 

 RR XIV - Second Capital

PDF version

Across clues are normal. The wordplay in all but one down clue leads to an extra letter not entered in the grid. The number of the plain down clue needs inserting at some point into the message given by the extra down letters. The message should then lead solvers to a location represented in the grid.

One row must be changed to show the location and highlighted, along with six separate features, one of them unusual. (40 cells highlighted in total.)

All entries in the final grid are real words. The Chambers 13th edition is the primary reference.

Across

  1 According to locals, ravine to west of Ghana is main point of interest (6)

  5 Judge of old is officer when in court (6)

10 The man keeping dog well-trained is a rustic (5)

12 COVID-19 often is so fast around centre of Bath (6)

13 More on the rocks, less cordial (5)

14 Colours featured in painting essentials (6)

15 Buffet items regularly ignored are sandwiches (7)

16 Fern from very large embankment with old shed (6)

18 Artificial insemination company given thanks for reversing female sterility (6)

20 Space back on ICU: man finally gets cast off (6)

21 Retired senior warrant officer backs overthrown ruler, ready to fight (6, 2 words)

23 It's a shame war film is about son being lost (6, 2 words)

27 Uncovered circular translating Eurasian group of languages (6)

31 Old man crushed by reduced sex drive hit rock bottom (7)

32 Separate and remove worn-out insole after running (6)

33 As a friend to the French and the Namibians, to some extent (5, 2 words)

34 No fat, no seconds, taking time to reflect, it's good, we say, for his gut (6)

35 In relation to waste filtration unit, learn to recycle (5)

36 Precious stone (for many) is set askew on top of tiara (6)

37 Israel's been in conflict, ignoring Blair, working for this former communist (6)

Down

  1 Gypsy girl's magic ring lost in northern hail (5)

  2 I do relish eating sorrel - its pods provide food (6)

  3 Loathing first hint of Madeira, leaves trifle (5)

  4 Group stopping longer on IOM openly cry when leaving Douglas? (8)

  5 A term of respect assumed by nobleman out East! (5)

  6 Old Spaniard’s ready to be MC in broadcast (7)

  7 Gum arabic crushed in cog (6)

  8 Think old well's empty (5)

  9 Police take guest's silk dress (6)

11 One local getting urge to take up joint (4)

12 Her turned-out feet derived her name, bad ale fermented does the same (5)

17 Returning cleric, imprisoned by peacekeepers with ordained son, issues retraction (8)

19 Give up terrible care and sulk (7, 2 words)

21 Dirty, ignoring carbon footprint? (6)

22 It includes crooked lines around divisions (6)

23 City is endlessly bullish (5)

24 Pilot securing chart in dreadful rain (6)

25 Brief introduces client’s final character witness (5)

26 Legendary king’s followers eliminating inferior knight (5)

28 Monsieur’s elder son dropped off laxative powder (4)

29 Greenlit a network of housing support for Greystoke (5)

30 Land having rough higher places with wild grapes to be picked (5)

Entries

To enter this competition, send your entry as an image or in list format giving the final entries to ccpuzzles@talktalk.net before 8th May 2022. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers.

Voting

You may vote for your favourite clue with your entry. You can just nominate one clue, which will be awarded 3 points, or your top three which will be awarded 3, 2 and 1 points. The person whose clue accumulates the most points will receive a prize, which also has been donated by the Crossword Centre.

Clues by…

…Anax, Avtaar, Steve Bartlett, David Beamish, Rod Beards, Rod Bell, Peter Finan, Simon Griew, Derek Harrison, Hawk, Hedge-sparrow, Karla, Eddy Looby, Alf Mullins,  Satyen Nabar, Joe Nicholson, John Nicholson, John Nolan, Andrew Macleod, Leon Marzillier, Mark Oshin, Bhalchandra Pasupathy, Phylax, Ed Powles, Sowmya Ram, Ian Simpson, Andy Smith, Peter Smith, William Snow, Andy Stewart, Robert Teuton, David Thompson, Ian Thompson, John Tozer, Vismut, Luciano Ward, Clive Weatherley, David Whyte and Keith Williams.