Comments on: Independent 7256 by Math

By: walruss

walruss — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:54:11 +0000

Very refreshing indeed. Well done to Math.

By: jetdoc

jetdoc — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:18:48 +0000

Very enjoyable puzzle. I hadn’t spotted the Nina until I saw it mentioned here. Thanks to the Indy again for providing something a bit more challenging than the rest on a Monday.

By: Ali

Ali — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:41:05 +0000

It has been a while since we saw Math (July I think), and there were fewer puzzles in 2009 than 2008, so I’m guessing it’s a message to solvers (and possibly Eimi!). Either way, well worth the wait. Any puzzle that has music-related clues always gets my nod of approval. I found it tough though.

I’ve no issue with it, but is missing punctuation (i.e. the comma between Motion and Duffy in the LAUREATES clue) generally acceptable?

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:08:46 +0000

Some excellent clues here in what I found quite a hard puzzle. I saw the Nina when I’d about 8 or 9 letters, my guess at to what it meant was the same as in comment 1 above. TIE ROD was my last and was very good, was looking for ‘ed’, also esp liked YOUTHS and LAUREATES.

By: IanN14

IanN14 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:37:06 +0000

…my commiserations, K’s D.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:34:35 +0000

Thanks, Neal, as you say a good offering. Finished it, but with mistakes (had PRERELEASE at 12ac and guessed TEASE for 22dn).

I don’t understand the wordplay for FLAGSTONES in 8dn either. And why can I never spot ninas? (Discuss.)

Ian, I don’t have a problem with 19d. However, if the seven-letter solution had been CHELSEA, then I may have had to consider a formal complaint to eimi on the grounds of cruel and unusual punishment …

By: IanN14

IanN14 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:29:44 +0000

8d. Is, I think, “flag” = colours, “tone” = colour, therefore “flag’s tone”.
Def: “Set” = paving stone.

By: IanN14

IanN14 — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:20:25 +0000

Thanks Neal,
19ac. I thought resort (as in “sort again”) was an excellent anagram indicator.
I don’t know the reason for the Nina either, is it that it’s been ages since a Math puzzle?
Didn’t like the inclusion of 19d.
(eimi, have the setters got together with some sort of bet?).