Comments on: Independent 7,244 by Raich

By: davey b

davey b — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:47:34 +0000

Thanks Simon.

By: Simon Harris

Simon Harris — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:45:52 +0000

Hi Davey – I no longer have the clue to hand, but I seem to recall it was a reference to one Andrei Arshavin. He’s a Russian footballer currently playing in the UK. After a game, he would presumably be getting dressed, so that’s the cryptic def. I think the other side to it was simply a reference to something you’d put on your food, so that’s the straighforward def.

By: davey b

davey b — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:09:57 +0000

Anyone cre to explain 7 down RUSSIAN DRESSING?

By: Bannsider

Bannsider — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:59:39 +0000

Congrats on your debut Raich. I also found this tough and like others could not really see why by the end. I was stuck on 21 down for ages, even though I was looking for the fourth of the Big Four.
Fave clues those to BALLROOM DANCING, UNREAL and MANQUE. And of course 7 down for the reference to the little Russian maestro…

By: Raich

Raich — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:47:07 +0000

Many thanks to Simon for the excellent blog and to all for the comments which are very much appreciated.

Raich is not a supporter of any of the BIG FOUR clubs, but allegiances of close relations mean there is no way he could be associated with banter addressed at a team from a NW port…

By: Hypnos

Hypnos — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:59:56 +0000

Excellent debut and congrats to Niall. Only twigged the theme after solving OMENTA. Favourite clues: MANQUE, BALLROOM DANCING and BIRO.

By: Tees

Tees — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:22:16 +0000

So many times it seems I have been on the receiving end of very kind and encouraging words from NMS, but no need for either from me today: a very strong debut, with some excellent clueing, that speaks for itself.

Congrats and very well done, Niall.

By: Alberich

Alberich — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:53:41 +0000

An excellent 15 x 15 debut from Raich. It was very much on the difficult side and a challenge well worth taking on. Favourite clue was 1 down, with 26 across, 4, 23 and 25 down closely following. As someone who is indifferent to football, the theme was lost on me, but that didn’t spoil it. Great stuff, hats off to Raich.

By: Jim T

Jim T — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:25:41 +0000

Very nice debut. Really liked 1d.

By: Peter Biddlecombe

Peter Biddlecombe — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:41:34 +0000

Well done Niall – I was going to whinge slightly about the collection of three-letter answers in mid-grid but I guess the theme forced this – as usual I missed it completely, despite my “bloke” in 3D being “Gazza” for a while – bad geography leading in turn to “BASS what?” bafflement at 8A.