Comments on: Independent 6,954 by Nimrod

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:11:55 +0000

I eventually got gluteus maximus from some of the checking letters and can see all the elements of the wordplay, but don’t quite see how the clue indicates that they fit together.

But thanks Geoff for the explanation of 3d – that was another one that I didn’t understand.

I thought 14d should have been (5-4) rather than (9); it’s hyphenated in Chambers.

By: Simon Harris

Simon Harris — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:23:20 +0000

My mistake, Duggie. I assumed it to be a cricket position, but I claim to know very little about either sport!

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:10:15 +0000

The only place I’ve ever seen ‘shortstop’ is in a crossword – I remembered it.

By: Duggie

Duggie — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:02:13 +0000

When did you last hear Test Match Special mention ‘short stop’? This puzzle was tough enough without baseball terms creeping in.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:59:45 +0000

Yes, Anon, this was harder than the Indy usually is – an annual review of the year giving the average solving time for the various setters by this particular blogger may be found on 31/12/2008. Nimrod is among the harder setters. My time today was 38 mins.

By: Simon Harris

Simon Harris — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:42:27 +0000

Welcome, Anon. I think it’s fair to say this was pretty hard for an Independent. Nimrod has a very distinct style which isn’t always to everyone’s taste. I think 4dn wouldn’t ever appear in the Times, but the Indy seems to be a shade more open-minded!

By: Anon

Anon — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:39:08 +0000

I tried this crossword for the frist time ever. I’m not the greatest of solvers -on a reasonable day I might get 3/4 of the Telegraph out and 1/2 the Times & Guardian (I don’t try all 3 on the same day!). After 30 mins I only had 11a and 19a. I didn’t think 11a was a good clue as many many not have heard of the group. I did guess 4 down but thought that it couldn’t possibly appear in a national. How hard was today’s compared to other Indies, please?

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:03:53 +0000

Two minor points – in 5 down (REMAP), it’s a hidden reversal, I think. In ADMIX (19 across) I thought it was (MAD)* then XI reversed (‘reversing order)

By: C.G. Rishikesh

C.G. Rishikesh — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:51:19 +0000

Thanks, Geoff.

By: Geoff Moss

Geoff Moss — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:41:01 +0000

9/10a Rishi, are right in your original post but I don’t think your comment #4 is realistic. Try man = human race = us.