Crossword Centre Prize Puzzle January 2023

 

Leading Character by Vismut

Some clues have three letter abbreviations missing from the wordplay. Two from the set they would complete are missing. 12 across clues have wordplay which leads to the grid entry with one incorrect letter. The incorrect letters spell out four thematic names, the correct letters are a jumble of two more. These hints indicate which leading character must turn up to reveal what has to be highlighted.

PDF version

Across

1 Yes, Dutch spy leaving government was habitually lazy (6)

5 Feverish bug (7)

10 No odd bits in small neat bone (4)

11 One leg in six say not real (8)

13 Glen’s estate owners hit Mr Sid Little’s front wing first (6)

15 Ordinary lady with husband who is “God” (4)

16 Protective coverings beside square (6)

17 Scrap reviewing The Hobbit initially (5)

18 Something pungent from measure of land by blue Nile (8)

20 Sanction supporter (3)

21 Useless creeps stripped (4)

25 Adult getting into kid cycling team in America (9)

27 Minutes putting coat inside out (4)

28 Short horse pushed back crowd (3)

33 Bits of parasite left rabbits when cooked (8)

35 Ian’s shabby eastern isle jumper on the counter (5)

36 Local coppers under British rule, historically 50% of messengers (6)

38 Fair number ignoring Sabbath (4)

        39    Oil producing family delegates regularly kiss naked (6)

40 Antipope accepted light gratin (8)

41 English girl’s name (4)

42 Perhaps Sibyl needs support on topless gown (7)

43 Cooler for rustic to not have any ducks (6)

Down

1 Timeless sun god associated with Caesar (6)

2 Warning sound before art work lifted (6)

3 Quarter of the pack bringing down horse for dens (6)

4 Note promotion in the year yields nothing (4)

5 Passionate fellow in for piano run through (6)

6 Partners swapped corsets (7)

7 Plant Scottish own beside British colony in recession (8)

8 Harden fertiliser by pushing out piece (5)

9 Former remover at home filling new role carrying earl (7)

12 Heavy metal hits on these! (6)

14 Take in current joke during conversation (6)

19 Cylinder, bolt and drone say protecting outside of turret (8)

22 Concerning European order (6)

23 Ties up fishing equipment carried by female donkey (7)

24 Tops of ash, viburnum and oak having eight leaves (6)

26 Mistake over relative’s massage (7)

29 Oscar’s entertained by 50% of Lhasa apsos barking welcomes (6)

30 Version of major Italian writing system (6)

31 Putting up short drunk relatives inside (6)

32 Letter’s got one fewer es (6)

34 Briefly embarrassed first female district judge (5)

37 Libel ignoring fourth letter raised standards (4)

To enter this competition, send your entry as an image,  or in list format with an explanation of the shading  to ccpuzzles@talktalk.net before 8th February 2023. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers.

Crossword News December 2022

Crossword News December 2022

The November Prize Puzzle was Big Bang Theory by Poat. 

The puzzle commemorated the obliteration of an atoll in the Marshall Islands on 1 November 1952 as part of the US nuclear test programme known as Operation Ivy (spelled out by corrections to misprints). The delivery device was codenamed Mike, highlighted in the central spiral of cells, with letters of the island ELUGELAB eliminated in turn from eight answers. Solvers were also required to highlight the symbols for Fermium and Einsteinium in the grid (FM and ES), elements confirmed through later analysis of the fallout.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

This puzzle was all the more enjoyable because I had not previously heard of Operation Ivy (and even when I googled it the first references were to an American punk rock band of the same name!), nor of the former island of Elugelab, nor indeed that the Operation led to the discovery of two new elements. So warm thanks go to Poat for an instructive as well as entertaining and ingenious puzzle.

This puzzle was a blast! This was a challenging test of solving skills that required new clear thinking to determine which letters needed to fall out. Once I managed to marshall the mental energy to identify the puzzle's missing elements, it yielded megatons of fun. Poat makes a case to be the King of setters -- Bravo!

I found this quite a struggle with some answers (e.g. TALEGGIO) not in my edition of Chambers.  For a while I thought the theme was to do with the Hadron Collider at Cern but I needed Wikipedia on ELUGELAB to put me right.  A rather sombre subject in the end, all too relevant to what is happening in Europe at the moment.  Thank you Poat.

The puzzle proved a stiff challenge, well enjoyed by all.  A few mistakes, mainly through not spotting the newly discovered elements of fermium and einsteinium, but overall the puzzle was very well received. There were 45 entries, of which 9 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner, picked from the electronic hat was Adam Vellender, who will be receiving a copy of Chambers Crossword Dictionary donated by the publishers.

There is a full solution at 

https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2022/12/solution-to-big-bang-theory-by-poat.html

You still have time to email your solution to Seasons Greetings XIV before 8 January.
The January puzzle will be Leading Character by Vismut.
***
In the Guardian, Alan Connor interviewed the setter of the Everyman puzzles in the Observer. The setters are usually not named, although we know that in the past, such notable clue masters as Dorothy Taylor and Alec Robins were the compilers. At last, we know who is the current incumbent. https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/crossword-blog/2022/nov/26/meet-the-setter-the-observers-everyman
***
New to The Telegraph is the new Cross Atlantic crossword. As the name implies this an American style puzzle. You can try it for free. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/cross-atlantic-crossword/ To solve the other crosswords you have to pay a subscription fee, although there is an option for a free month’s access to the puzzles.
***
When my subscription to Times on-line went up to £26, I phoned to cancel it. I mainly use it for the Listener crossword and I reckoned it would be cheaper to buy The Times every Saturday. However, the nice employee on the Cancellation Team persuaded me to change to the Light Digital Pack. This costs £4.99 per month and, although you can only open 30 articles in a month you have access to all the crosswords. I’ll let you know how this works out.
***
I have been having fun trying to solve one of Torquemada’s fun puzzles, Knock-Knock. It is based on the game, “Knock-knock.” “Who’s there?” “Cecilia who?” “Cecilia game than I thought”. I have had a few laughs, but it’s tough. You can try it here -https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/p/knock-knock-by-torquemada.html 

I did manage to fill the grid although I could not parse some clues. I will publish a solution next month.
***
I wish everyone a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Best wishes
Derek
On Mastodon I have changed server, so my name is DerekHarrison@mastodon.social 

Solution to Big Bang Theory by Poat

 Big Bang Theory by Poat - Solution

 The puzzle commemorates the obliteration of an atoll in the Marshall Islands on 1 November 1952 as part of the US nuclear test programme known as Operation Ivy (spelled out by corrections to misprints). The delivery device was codenamed Mike, highlighted in the central spiral of cells, with letters of the island ELUGELAB eliminated in turn from eight answers. Solvers were also required to highlight the symbols for Fermium and Einsteinium in the grid (FM and ES), elements confirmed through later analysis of the fallout.

 ACROSS

  1    hoar-headed. Edited English.tsd - Chambers

        HOARD around HEAVE with D (500) for V (5)

10   au mieux. Edited English.tsd - MWCD,Chambers

        EU in AU MIX

11   earlap. Edited English.tsd

        ERA interwoven with ALP

12   Laodicea. Edited English.tsd - Location

        CALEDO(N)IA*

13   auto. Core English.tsd

        Alternate letters of vAlUaTiOn; misprint stack for stOck

14   fire-plug. Core English.tsd

        (GULPER IF)<

17   égarement. Edited English.tsd - Chambers

        GREENTEAM*, hinting at French word

18   arguli. Edited English.tsd - COD

        ARGU(E) LI(E), Brits being the fish

20   recto. Core English.tsd

        (E)RECTO(R), misprint wage for Page

21   royal. Core English.tsd

        ROY AL, misprint jolly for jElly

23   eothen. Edited English.tsd - Chambers

        EON round THE

24   aleatoric. Edited English.tsd - MWCD,Chambers

        ICAREALOT*, ‘cabbage’ being musical notes

27   starlets. Edited English With Inflections.tsd - Chambers

        (LASTRITES minus I)*

28   hear. Core English.tsd

        HERE homophone

29   Taleggio. Edited English.tsd - Chambers

        GI in GELATO*

31   ornate. Core English.tsd

        OR NATE(S)

32   Bohemia. Edited English.tsd

        BOA(T) around HEM 1

33   thread mark. Edited English.tsd - Chambers

        DARKMATTER* with H for T, misprint anti-fogging for anti-foRging

DOWN

  1    half-marathon.

        MARA is half of MARATHON

  2    amort. Edited English.tsd

        Hidden in (Fulh)AMORT(hereabouts), misprint sod for sAd

  3    rid. Core English.tsd

        RID(DLE), misprint show for shoT

  4    exclaim. Core English.tsd

        EX CLAIM, misprint charm for chIrm

  5    areg. Edited English.tsd - Chambers

        (TU)AREG

  6    dealer. Core English.tsd

        ALE in DER

  7    drupe. Core English.tsd

        PRUDE*

  8    patented. Edited English.tsd

        PA TENTED

  9    sport one's oak.

        SOAK after PERSONTO*, misprint Axbridge for Oxbridge

13   ammeter.

        AM MET ER, where I = electric current

15   equator.

        QUA in ROTE<, misprint rigg for riNg

16   drollery. Core English.tsd

        (ER after O LL) in DRY

19   keitloa. Edited English.tsd - Chambers

        LIKEASHOT* minus SH

22   loiter. Core English.tsd

        L O ITER (Latin for journey), misprint longer for lInger

25   avant. Edited English.tsd - MWCD,Chambers

        (S)AVANT, misprint precious for preVious

26   regma. Core English.tsd

        R EGMA

27   save. Core English.tsd

        First letters Soon And Very Early, misprint lad for laY

30   gem. Core English.tsd

        GE(R)M

Crossword Centre Prize Puzzle December 2022

 Seasons Greetings XIV by Eclogue

____________________________________________

PDF version

Clues are presented in conventional order.  The completed grid, which has no unchecked letters, displays 90’ rotational symmetry including 8 bars and 64 black squares.  Two straight lines, whose ends touch the frame of the grid, should be drawn thematically through five identical and symmetrically placed letters.  The 21 clashes in the grid must be resolved in favour of the entries that ensure the final grid only contains real words, phrases and proper nouns.  The discarded letters can be arranged to provide an alternative three-word title which should be written below the grid.

   Across

Fine glazed fabric flips over

Springtime in Scotland brings conflict with English

American fibres fall on back street

Party-goer is amongst extraverts

Parrots’ stomachs contain calcium

Lowland fog covers gunners in marsh

Jonathan’s guitar, perhaps, one found in obsessive irregular

Rock’s incisiveness consumes a wife

Auxiliary control affected Rio Verde

Cleverly silly, in a way

Lady of peace, not once adhering to resentment

Are wearing preposterously small cloths

I spin a leg round on lobe

Be once more about headless discriminator

Liberal liked scum and failed in Edinburgh

Agent that’s true to men

Sailor crossing rough sea retreats

Small sailing ship that’s winking

The grape relaxes Erastian

In Devon, say, grapples with republican and pivots

Priest with team (scientists) producing chemical preparations

Hamish’s barred rotten European for independence

Dirty jokes repulsed, what a surprise

They heat teas brewing around noon

Share number involved in pillage

Close National Emergency Alarm Repeater, primarily

Resorts existing in times past

Down
Wandsworth has nine in the Spanish manuscript
Soft passage constant before play
Carved part of figure within hollow almost getting old
Cajolers from firm to reduce runs on Sunday
Communist to interfere with old follower of Jesus
Benefits past profit at the heart of historic pound
Lies initially revised extended standard theory section
Lake is strange, giving off energy
Female entertains Irish county
Body check without escape for ideal partner (two words)
Informal round’s arisen out of order
Highlanders like appearing in French month
Superior to remain set on point, once
Stag’s roar that is going across because it’s spoiling for a fight
Law is trammelled in sheer interweaving
Stickler fermenting a succession of drops
Glaswegian scatters ships round Cape
Insular beast, a cross between king and queen? (two words)
The old rose up and remained to expel American
Nerve cells one cut short in fellows
Ancient Celtic warriors, embraced by ruffian natives
Rats making a circuit inside ship
Incite supporter to remove a king (two words)
Old jalopy beginning to cut speed
Take cutting in equal quantities from tree
At which point does warrior begin to lose courage at Culloden?
Scots ditch Kirkpatrick? Yes, funnily enough!

To enter this competition, send your entry as an image, including the alternative title, or in list format with an explanation of the lines, to ccpuzzles@talktalk.net before 8^th January 2023. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers. 

Crossword News November 2022

Crossword News November 2022

The October Prize Puzzle was Nemesis by Chalicea. The theme was the nursery rhyme of the Gingerbread Man. The Gingerbread Man challenged the duck, horse, cow, pig, dog and little old lady and man to catch him. He met his nemesis with the fox.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

A puzzle on the easy side, even for Chalicea, but one featuring an amazing number of place and language locations, from Scotland to among others, Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, Australia and New Zealand, China, the USA and back to Scotland. I have eaten my share of Gingerbread Men, but didn't realise there was a fairy tale involved. The Wiki article gives a lot of interesting detail on folk tales which involve runaway food items, and which have been found in nearly as many societies as Chalicea visited in her puzzle. Thanks, Chalicea.

After last month's very challenging "Postcard" from Hedge Sparrow, this seemed quite straightforward but I will admit that I had to resort to the internet to remind myself what happened to the Gingerbread man in the end.  Well, it was a very long time ago that I last sang it!  Thank you Chalicea for a charming puzzle.

In contrast to last month's puzzle this was much more straightforward but no less enjoyable. As always with Chalicea, a set of neat clues, lots of thematic material and pleasing endgame.  Thanks to Chalicea and the Crossword Centre. 

There were 64 entries, of which 8 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner, picked from the electronic hat was David Beamish, from London, who will soon be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary which was donated by Chambers.

There is a full solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2022/11/solution-to-nemesis-by-chalicea.html

There is still lots of time to send an entry for the November challenge, Big Bang Theory by Poat. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2022/10/crossword-centre-prizepuzzle-november.html

The December Prize Puzzle will be our traditional offering from Eclogue. Watch out for Seasons Greetings XIV.
***
The next Listener Crossword Setters’ Dinner will be held at the Mercure Hotel, Bristol on 4^th March 2023. It is 50 years since Ploutos (Mike Rich) held the first dinner at the Cock Tavern in 1973 and the dinner will celebrate this golden anniversary. Guests will be invited to wear gold and special gold ties are to be made for the men and gold brooches for the women.
***
It's that time of the year when you might be looking for Christmas presents. I would suggest you look at the 3D puzzle calendar for 2023. With a puzzle a month set by some of the top setters, it makes a beautiful gift for a cruciverbalist, as well as making a contribution to charity. You can order a copy from this link -
https://3dcalendarpuzzles.co.uk/shop/3d-crosswords-2023-calendar-printed/
***
Congratulations to the Magpie magazine on its 20^th anniversary. It was founded 20 years ago after the death of Mike Rich who published Tough Puzzles, The Guardian had an interview with the founders of the Magpie, Mark Goodliffe and Simon Anthony.
https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/crossword-blog/2022/oct/31/twenty-years-of-the-magpie-crossword-magazine?CMP=share_btn_tw
***
Having tried a few OCR apps on my PC and Mac, I have found Photo Scan for PC gives the best results. To test it I got it read a photo of a page of clues. It worked very well with the need for only a few changes. The puzzle was a Letters Latent puzzle by Ximenes. I have put the puzzle on the blog. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/p/ximenes-lett6ers-latent.html
I also noticed that the link to the Double Entendre puzzle by Ximenes was defunct, so I have updated it. http://www.crossword.org.uk/double.htm
***
The Crossword Club is being relaunched with its November 2022 issue, where each of the three prize puzzles has a chance to win a copy of the forthcoming 2023 3D Crossword Calendar (entry is open to subscribing members only).  This relaunch issue is available free to anyone emailing a request to:  clubcrosswords@gmail.com
***
On the day that Rishi Sunak became PM there was this very timely clue in the Telegraph crossword, with an equally timely answer:

Rishi's scratching head in horror after Conservative catastrophe (6)
***
If you want to practise your wall skills for Only Connect, I can certainly suggest the Pussgrid site. Lots of walls and 3 minutes to try to solve them. I find it great fun.
https://puzzgrid.com/
***
Quiz master, Frank Paul, has published a new book, The Twelve Quizzes of Christmas. He was recently interviewed by Alan Connor in the Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/crossword-blog/2022/nov/14/crossword-book-club-artist-quizmaster-frank-paul-the-12-quizzes-of-christmas

The Guardian published some of Frank Paul’s word puzzles. They are a real pleasure to solve and you can try them here. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/oct/31/can-you-solve-it-brilliant-brainteasers-by-the-wizard-of-witty-wordplay
***
And finally, one for the pedants. The Washington Post published this correction.
The crossword puzzle in the Oct 23 Washington Post Magazine included an incorrect clue for 95 Across (“Fictional graduate of Springfield High School during the 1970s”). The answer HOMER refers to Homer Simpson, who didn’t graduate from high school in the 1970s because, during that time, he didn’t pass Remedial Science 1A, as seen in a season 4 episode of “The Simpsons”, “The Front”.

Best wishes
Derek
Now on Mastodon – DerekHarrison@mastodon.iriseden.eu

  

Solution to Nemesis by Chalicea

 Nemesis by Chalicea - SOLUTION

The Gingerbread Man challenged the duck, horse, cow, pig, dog and little old lady and man to catch him. He met his nemesis with the fox.

 

Across: 9 Egally, 10 Super, 11 Merops, 12 Blancos, 13 Horse, 14 Elemi, 15 Kain, 17 Cease-fire, 19 Birr, 22 Enters, 24 Aholism, 25 Old man, 27 Cow, 28 Chat, 29 Beryl, 30 Tool up, 33 Amis, 34 Nicad, 36 Tirrs, 37 Pig, 38 Dog, 39 Toheroa.

Down: 1 Narras, 2 Gloss, 3 Elpees, 4 Bibliomaniac, 5 Ruler, 6 Examen, 7 Duck, 8 Aesir, 10 Snirtle, 16 Air, 18 Fish, 20 Shoo-in, 21 Old lady, 22 Extort, 23 Saligot, 26 Drapes, 29 Buroo, 31 Udon, 32 Ashy, 35 Coo.

 

Across: 9 LEGALLY less first L, 10 SUP bEeR, 11 SPORE + M(eal)<, 12 BLANC + O + S(oldier), 13 HOE round R[ow]S, 14 IE< around LEM, 15 K + A + W(in)E, 17 C + EASE + F + IRE, 19 Two meanings, 22 CENTERS less C, 24 {IS MY HALO less Y(our)}*, 25 {ALMOND}*, 27 Two meanings, 28 CAT around H, 29 Hidden, 30 TOO + PUL(l)<, 33 AMIS(s), 34 Hidden, 36 (a)T(l)I(b)R(a)R(y) + (shameles)S, 37 First letters, 38 Two meanings, 39 {HARE TOO}*.

Down: 1 SARAN around R<, 2 Two meanings, 3 STEEPLE less T<, 4 {BINOMIAL ABC I}*, 5 Two meanings, 6 EX A MEN, 7 Two meanings, 8 ARISE*, 10 {LISTEN + (me)R(ry)}*, 16 RIA<, 18 Two meanings, 20 "SHOO" + IN, 21 Two meanings, 22 EX + TORT, 23 SALT around I(n)G(o)O(d), 26 SPREAD*, 29 {OO + RUB}<, 31 Hidden, 32 AS H (dr)Y, 35 COO(l). 

Crossword Centre Prize Puzzle November 2022

 Big Bang Theory by Poat

PDF copy

Twelve clues contain a misprint of one letter in the definition, the corrections spelling out an experimental mission. The immediate outcome is shown by removals, read in normal grid order, from eight across answers. The name of the delivery agent appears in a cluster of four cells, and must be highlighted along with symbolic representations of two further items which became apparent in the aftermath.

ACROSS

    1    Silver treasure absorbing haul, with volume up 100-fold (10)

    10    Community gets into Gold Blend on great terms (7, 2 words)

    11    Outer protection from geological stage and mountain, taking turns (6)

    12    New Caledonia abolishing national community of believers (8)

    13    GM may stack this valuation periodically (4)

    14    Vital source of water one swallows, if in retreat  (8)

    17    Green team in confusion? C'est çà (9)

    18    Endless debate and untruth giving problems for Brits? (6)

    20    Right wage of builder knocking out walls (5)

    21    Descriptive of some jolly boys (5)

    23    Long time to import article from the east (6)

    24    Oddly, I care a lot for any variety of cabbage? (9)

    27    Weird last rites - I must leave wee *** (8)

    28    Pick up present for auditor (4)

    29    Milk product: good one in melted gelato (8)

    31    Decorated soldiers with endless booty, more formally (6)

    32    Wasting time, sail around border by one former kingdom (7)

    33    Sort of dark matter getting hot for Tesla’s anti-fogging device (10, 2 words)

DOWN

    1    So-called hare may hint at this race (12)

    2    In Fulham or thereabouts, find old sod (5)

    3    Show of half-finished cryptic puzzle (3)

    4    Charm old flame with demand for rights (7)

    5    Tuareg workers must leave windy deserts (4)

    6    Carrying beer, the German who’ll give a hand at table (6)

    7    Prude abandoned date? (5)

    8    Got protection for dad under canvas (8)

    9    Toper’s after tipsy person to deter visitors in Axbridge (12, 3 words)

    13    With this, you’ll determine I am joined with monarch (7)

    15    Big rigg as found in ebbing surf’s roar of Miami (7)

    16    I hesitate to follow old lines in dull comedy (8)

    19    Safari target rampaging like a shot, not quiet (7)

    22    Longer length of Caesar’s journey (6)

    25    Scholar taking top off in precious moment (5)

    26    Take a stab at Enigma: it breaks into productive parts (5)

    27    Lad away in the van soon, and very early (4)

    30    Admirable fellow depleting microbe’s resistance (3)

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