Comments on: Guardian Genius 98 – Crucible

By: Crucible

Crucible — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:11:58 +0000

Thanks for your message, Katherine. You can please some of the people some of the time etc. Nice to know someone enjoyed it. I had originally thought the puzzle would be a suitable candidate for a Saturday slot (as many others seem to have done) but the instructions were perhaps too long for that. Regarding the anagram: I actually chose it for its relevance, thinking that solvers might enjoy a contemplative battle, with a whiff of pleasure. From the blogs it seems many didn’t consider it a battle at all. And maybe I’m too eager to justify it post hoc.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:10:15 +0000

Thanks for the blog. I liked this crossword and would much prefer puzzles such as these compared with the dreadful Auracaria Printers Devilry offering of a couple of months back.

I liked the surface readings of all these clues [unlike many in puzzles from some of the other seemingly more favoured compilers]

Genius puzzles are supposed to take 2-3 times longer than a normal puzzle and I think that is what it took me.

I was disappointed though that the unchecked letters that made the anagram SCENT OF A CONTEMPLATIVE BATTLE, whilst clever, was meaningless as it did not relate to anything at all.

Unlike Jan and Mr. Beaver [sounds like the name of a children's book!], I remembered about Roget, but could’t find him. So much for my search talents.

By: Jan

Jan — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:56:56 +0000

Thanks, Andrew – I forgot to look for the ‘locked up’ Roget. Not a particularly challenging puzzle so rather disappointing.

I really liked 20d once the penny dropped. Fortunately, not in the middle of the night!

By: Mr. C

Mr. C — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 12:23:05 +0000

I agree with the general feeling this was an easier crossword than of late under the appallingly-named ‘Genius’ variety. Sat down to this mid-month, and being a Crucible thought it would be on my solving table being gnawed at for a few days, but was surprised it very nearly got done at first swipe. However, I had to sleep on 20d, but woke in euphoria around 2am barking out ‘JEROME!’. I think ‘er indoors thought I’d had a calling to greater things, and was a little annoyed by my admission it was a crossword clue that had been revealed to me.
All in all a satisfying puzzle, especially 20d.(!)

By: Mr Beaver

Mr Beaver — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 09:44:16 +0000

Thanks for the explanation of the ‘Dutch’ reference which had me foxed – also for the locked-up Roget, which I’d missed.
But as you say, this was surprisingly tractable for a Genius, though it took a little while for the thesaurus penny to drop – it was ABSTRACT RELATIONS which rang a bell for me.

Still, no complaints, it’s always a pleasure to be able to finish a Genius!

By: bridgesong

bridgesong — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 09:14:04 +0000

Thanks for the comprehensive blog, Andrew. I agree that this was less challenging than recent months; it’ll be interesting to see if the first correct entry breaks any records!