Comments on: Guardian 25,044 – Brendan

By: Jan

Jan — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:25:12 +0000

I’m ages behind but what the h***.

As a retired teacher of mathematics I loved this crossword although 25 stumped me. I thought it was a rugby reference but didn’t think of the obvious position.

I can assure the doubters that my students would recognise all the references. I was quite happy with the semi-circle clue – it’s a cryptic crossword, for goodness sake! Where were the mathematicians complaining about ‘splitting the difference’ for the mean in a recent Genius crossword?

This was a superb puzzle. Thank you again Brendan.

By: Huw Powell

Huw Powell — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 00:03:20 +0000

One more commment. 25 doesn’t have to have anything to do with rugby. It is based on the grid – answers “numbered” 12 and 13 are both in the CENTRE of a 15 square row or column. So that part of the clue is actually a double definition using the same words! Wow.

By: Huw Powell

Huw Powell — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 23:59:41 +0000

Hi Martin R,

At 22A, “additional” = “plus” + “symbol” = “sign”. The reference to the diagram is the literal definition. The clue is flawless.

And as far as being easy, that is more than made up for it not just being “heavily” themed, but by *every single entry* being themed. Oh well, different strokes for different folks.

By: Huw Powell

Huw Powell — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 23:51:41 +0000

PS, 21 was the second clue I got, and I almost fell off my chair laughing.

By: Huw Powell

Huw Powell — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 23:49:10 +0000

This was fun. I noticed the interesting grid when I printed it the other day, and sat down to it today. It’s always nice when one gets the first clue one looks at (CHORDS). Then I rapidly noticed the math theme, and fairly ripped through the puzzle, slowing down for the last 4 or five that I got. Thought 22 and 25 were very amusing, the self-references were nice. Was it a bit easy? Sure, some clues were very easy, but I think that Brendan managed to tie every single word to the theme more than makes up for it.

One little problem, I doubt I ever would have got 18, not knowing or having a way to get to “hundreds” from “old parts of county”.

Also also, once I saw the theme I decided I ought to be able to do it without any aids because I like math. Shame about what I can only assume is a Britishism preventing completion.

Thanks Brendan, and Andrew!

By: Geoff Chapman

Geoff Chapman — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 07:55:30 +0000

Yeah, Brendan is da man. The new Araucaria. Or possibly the first Brendan. Only quibble, 25ac would have been fairer if it was “12 or 13 in XV” rather than ‘fifteen’.

But who am I to argue? Give the man more and more opportunities.

By: scarpia

scarpia — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 07:40:05 +0000

Dave Ellison @42.
Very good!

By: Hornbeam

Hornbeam — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:54:14 +0000

A short, belated well done from me also.

By: eimi

eimi — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:47:54 +0000

Of course, I couldn’t possibly comment, for fear of showing favouritism, and I’m very lucky to have such a superb group of setters over at the Indy, but I can’t deny that, as setters go, Mr Greer is indeed apian patellae, and I look forward to his next puzzle as keenly as the solvers.

By: FumbleFingers

FumbleFingers — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:10:10 +0000

Gaufrid – do you keep stats? My guess is Brendan might be a serious contender for “highest number of different people posting”. Hardly any of whom are finding fault.

As I hope he knows (biology notwithstandsing) I would love to have babies with Brendan. When it comes to kick-ass crosswords, he da man!