Crossword News April 2024.
The March Prize Puzzle was our 16th
Round Robin, at Sixes and Sevens. For 12 answers the first six letters were
used jumbled to form the entry. The last letters of these answers formed the
unclued row - SHORT-CHANGED - which could describe the modifications. Solvers
had to highlight CUT LOOSE, which also could describe the modifications.
Here are some of the comments from solvers.
Thank you to all of the setters and grid
designer for a splendid challenge. I
always approach the Round Robins with a mixture of pleasure and fear. There is no opportunity for the solver to get
on the wavelength of the setter and the different approaches can be
bewildering. Always a challenge, they
are among my favourite puzzles. I am
relieved that I took the trouble to check the last letters of the modified
answers because I had SHORTCHANGES instead of SHORTCHANGED across the
middle. Phew! That was close.
A simple idea beautifully executed. I guess a lot of 6-letter words jumble to a
7-letter word when an additional letter is thrown in, but the number that have
that letter at the end of the new word must be much smaller. Adding the complicating demands of two
thematic phrases makes this a complex composition, yet one that presents so
simply. Many delightful clues. I found 36a particularly amusing.
An excellent challenge, with high-quality clues
throughout. Many thanks to all the contributors and The Crossword Centre.
And a word of congratulation to John Nicholson
for managing to incorporate so many unfamiliar (to me anyway) words into the
grid.
There were 63 entries, of which 2 were marked
incorrect. The lucky winner, picked from the electronic hat, was Craig
Fothergill, who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary
donated by the publishers.
Solvers were asked to vote for their favourite
clues. Here are the results. The voting was more spread out amongst the clues
than ever before, with only 12 clues failing to trouble the scorer. Three clues did stand out from the chasing
pack though:
1. 23pts - OMINOUS - John Walsh
2. 18pts - CLOSING – Pandiculator
3. 17pts - ORGANIC – Phylax
4. 11pts - ACUSHLA - Brian Betker
5. 10 pts - LAMPERN- Keiron Callaghan
If John sends me a mailing address I shall send
him a prize book. If you would like to see all the votes, email me.
There is a solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2024/04/solution-to-rr-xvi-at-sixes-and-sevens.html
The May challenge will be Singing by popular
setter, Chalicea. Unfortunately, that will be the end of our pipe-line. As I
write, there is no puzzle for June.
***
Robert Teuton has released the results of our 2023 Crowther Cup competition.
The Crowther Cup 2023
Four
solvers managed to continue their unbeaten streaks in 2023 and were joined by
two more solvers who were all correct for the year. In order of last time
since an error/omission they are:
As
mentioned, the top four have already received the Cup previously, so the next
in line is someone whose last error was in March 2022...
...congratulations to Clive
Walker!
Close
behind were those entrants with just one error/omission:
After this
there were six solvers on 10/12:
Just behind
these we had:
Many thanks to all entrants for their continued
support! individual statistics are available for anyone who wants - email me at
toots@tinyworld.co.uk.
http://www.crossword.org.uk/crowther.html
***
The Guardian has introduced a Saturday crossword which will be an easier access
for beginner solvers. The Quick Cryptic has only four types of wordplay, or
tricks, and these are explained in a preamble.
https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick-cryptic/1
On Sundays the on-line Guardian will also have a
Quiptic crossword – “a cryptic crossword for beginners and those in a hurry”.
In a similar vein, Raider has introduced a new
aid for solvers. On the fantastic Mycrossword site, there is now a button on
puzzles which will underline the definition part of the clues.
https://www.mycrossword.co.uk/
***
Scrabble is set to change for the first time in its 75-year history as part of
a new 'inclusivity' drive to deter those who find the word game too
'intimidating' from abandoning the game. The much-loved board game will now be
printed with a simpler version on the back of the original board for those
whose knowledge of dictionaries and thesauruses are limited.
The new game from its owners Mattel is called
Scrabble Together and will feature a second side 'to make gameplay more
accessible for anyone who finds word games intimidating'. Scrabble is set to
change for the first time in its 75-year history as part of a new 'inclusivity'
drive to deter those who find the word game too 'intimidating' from abandoning
the game.
The much-loved board game will now be printed
with a simpler version on the back of the original board for those whose
knowledge of dictionaries and thesauruses are limited. The new game from its
owners Mattel is called Scrabble Together and will feature a second side 'to
make gameplay more accessible for anyone who finds word games intimidating'.
***
For many years, I have been solving John Nolan’s monthly crosswords. John, an
exiled Scot who now lives in Farmington, New Hampshire, often breaks Ximenean
rules but always creates a fun puzzle with a theme. He acknowledges all his
solvers and offers a monthly prize. Ian Simpson is planning a holiday in the
USA and hopes to meet John during his visit. You can try the Very Logical
Puzzle at http://www.stephaniepiro.com/Crossword%20Page.htm
***
As well as his interest in crosswords, Stephen Sondheim loved all sorts of
puzzles and games. He had a huge collection of antique games, many of which
adorned the walls of his house. Some of his collection is in an auction at
Doyles of New York on the 18th of May. You can see the items and
place a bid at this link.
https://www.doyle.com/auction/search/?au=8984
***
Best wishes
Derek