Comments on: Financial Times 13,384 / Alberich

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Fri, 14 May 2010 20:30:06 +0000

Re my own post (#5):
If S is ‘special’, we do understand 12ac now, but is S ‘special’?
Well, it probably is, though I couldn’t find it [I still haven't bought the 'real' Chambers].
The thing is, in the recent Guardian prize crossword by Crucible ‘special’ was SP, which I cóuld find.
That’s a bit confusing, two abbreviations for the same thing.

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:13:11 +0000

Well, scarpia, I know … but I’m not going to tell you [interesting thought, though].

Guardian solvers as we are, we had a problem today.
But as their Paul puzzle turned out to be a routine affair, we found more than enough time to tackle Alberich too.
And as always, sheer quality.
Even though this one did offer – as you said, smiffy [and thx] – some freebies.

We didn’t get SPENT (12ac) and still don’t understand it.
[S = special?, and 'pen'= ?]

No idea what the Clue of the Day must be [there were too many to choose from] – let’s take OUTDO (3d).

My PinC said several times “Oh, that’s clever” [or something similar].
And so it was.

By: scarpia

scarpia — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:23:58 +0000

Alberich – is he the chief of the dwarves {Niebelungen)from Wagner’s Ring or is it just an anagram for Charlie B ?

By: scarpia

scarpia — Thu, 13 May 2010 18:45:56 +0000

Thanks Smiffy.
I thought this was a great puzzle,particuarly liked the cd at 29 across and, even though it was quite easy to solve,I liked the surface of 20 down with it’s Haydn reference.
Had to think long and hard over 12 across,was trying to fit an ‘L’ (pound) in there somewhere.
19 down seems fine to me Acantha being either a spine or the nymph who scratshed Apollo’s face to protect her virginity – and got turned into a plant for her trouble!

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:31:16 +0000

Yes, this was excellent, quite hard by FT standards. I marked as esp good SPENT, SEEPAGE, TIT FOR TAT, ORDAINS, PUNTER, GHETTO, BESTOWER.

By: anax

anax — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:20:35 +0000

Great blog of a great puzzle Smiffy, and I’m really glad you used “trademark gems” in the intro. Alberich hasn’t been on the FT all that long but those two words show that in a short space of time he’s has gained a worthy reputation for top quality clueing.

A delight to solve as always.