Comments on: Independent 7346 by Virgilius

By: Quixote

Quixote — Tue, 04 May 2010 09:15:01 +0000

Good to have a political puzzle from my old chum without an in-your-face political message. A very pleasing effort that may be too easy for Scarpia, but one that will keep in touch with the average solver who may want a bit of added spice — enjoyed it while watching England score lots to runs (alas to no avail).

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:43:44 +0000

Re 10 being “a rare case where you didn’t have to know what the other clues were to solve it”, that’s true, of course, but means that it starts you looking for something in those clues – very crafty! Great puzzle, though, even if I didn’t spot the theme till I’d almost finished it.

By: scarpia

scarpia — Mon, 03 May 2010 23:10:35 +0000

Sorry to interrupt this meeting of the Vigillius fan club.
I’ve never quite understood all the praise for Virgillius/Brendan.I always find his puzzles o.k.,but rarely great,I’m more of the ‘libertarian’ camp I suppose.
Did like 9 acroos today though.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Mon, 03 May 2010 20:05:05 +0000

Not too many hard words that I could spot, either. Fine grid-fill from the ring-bearer*. Perhaps we should now start calling him Frodo?

By: flashling

flashling — Mon, 03 May 2010 14:55:31 +0000

Failed to get siege, neither definitions ring any bells even now. Agree about the 8 seats on the margins though. Good one thanks Virgilius. More election themed to come do you think?

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:35:23 +0000

Should be ‘Thought the liberal..”

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:34:37 +0000

Great as always from the master – did not find it too hard. Though the ‘liberal’ is cartel was legitimate trickery.

In the thematic context I read BOTTOM = SEAT (your own one that you sit on).

By: Derrick Knight

Derrick Knight — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:33:18 +0000

Yes. A great start to the week.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Mon, 03 May 2010 11:59:05 +0000

Thanks, Neal. Good job it’s a bank holiday, because my brain hurts.

What a super puzzle. I can’t usually cope with one theme; with two going on this was hard work, but very enjoyable. I did twig the ‘eight seats’ about half way through, which helped with the eight outermost answers.

Three cricket-themed answers? Tick. Super surfaces at 19dn and 8dn? Tick. Thanks to Eileen for flagging up Nick Bottom a month or so ago? Tick.

Not sure I’ve got enough brain power left to tackle the Grauniad’s 25,000th, and the lawn needs mowing. Oh, alright then, it’s going to rain in a bit anyway …

By: Duggie

Duggie — Mon, 03 May 2010 10:36:33 +0000

Amazing. A great way to start what is set to be a highly-charged political week. Yes, every clue has a ‘political’ element in it.

I agree with Eileen about 14A. A little bit of pedantry re 27A: siège is actually the word for seat in French, hence throne.