Comments on: Independent 7626 by Bannsider (Saturday Prize Puzzle 26 March 2011)

By: Graham Pellen

Graham Pellen — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 10:12:50 +0000

In 13A, I suggest “traffic” is what speed (ie amphetamines etc) merchants do, “traffic” usually having a pejorative connotation.

By: Lenny

Lenny — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 16:05:03 +0000

This was an elegant and ingenious puzzle from Bannsider. After I had finished I understood all the wordplay which just goes to show that you do not have to be obscurantist to produce a good puzzle. I can at least suggest a mini-theme for mcrappper with the juxtaposition of Sung Lasses and California Girls. My last one in was Ningpo, where I was about to give up not knowing any cities with the checked letter pattern, when I noticed the hidden word.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 11:19:41 +0000

Yes, this was excellent, esp liked ODDS-ON, RIFF, ISOMER, NINGPO, MIDI, RIDING CROP, SPECTATOR SPORTS, PSI’S. Thanks, Bannsider and mc_rapper67.

I also agree that anyone who tackles the daily cryptics successfully should be able to tackle and enjoy the themed puzzles mentioned, tho I’d include the Listener also in that. The only difference is that Chambers Dictionary, with its wider vocabulary, is needed. The clueing devices are essentially the same as in the daily cryptics.

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:21:13 +0000

Thanks, mc_rapper67, for the blog which explains everything so clearly. I didn’t find the puzzle too daunting but didn’t quite understand all the clues. Last to go in was PSIS which suddenly occurred to me as I was about to call it a day.
Nice to find a “swimmer” beginning OR– that wasn’t ‘orca’ for a change. And ‘doctor’ to clue MO instead of ‘Dr’ or ‘MB’.
Favourites? Possibly ACCRINGTON, FLAPDOODLE, PROLONGING. Thanks, Bannsider.

By: scchua

scchua — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 08:34:50 +0000

Thanks for the blog mc_rapper67, and Bannsider for an enjoyable puzzle – not least because I could see through the clues and complete this in reasonable time by applying mental “elbow-grease”, unlike some of the past few Bannsiders (nothing wrong with the latter, I must add).

Favourites were 10A DO ONES DAMNEDEST, 27A SUNGLASSES, and that great &lit 13D TRAFFIC COP.