Comments on: Guardian Cryptic 25731 Rufus

By: Huw Powell

Huw Powell — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 04:40:14 +0000

@ 9a.

I see it as a triple definition: “In the team” “on the wing” and “not breaking the rules”. I liked, though never got past pencil on it.

I liked this, more typical Rufus fare – “easy” clues all over the place to make me feel good and sane. This after wrestling with some Araucaria monstrosity I only got a third of. Monday fare. Just running a week behind.

Thanks Scchua and Rufus!

By: Thomas99

Thomas99 — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 10:46:39 +0000

Brendan – How on earth could 6a be SLAM? How are you using the aircraft bit? It’s a double definition; you couldn’t be in any doubt about the answer as far as I can see, unless you misparsed it.

And are you saying that because Satanism (15a) can involve a black mass it is wrong to suggest that it might be “anti-mass” (i.e. against the (catholic) mass) or involve an “anti-mass”? Neither objection seems tenable.

Rufus’s puzzles are deliberately at the simpler end of the scale but they are not unsophisticated and I’m always struck by how often people who complain about them being too easy also manage to misunderstand them. I don’t know what “lazy cluing” would look like necessarily, but this is certainly sloppy solving.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:01:30 +0000

Rowland
My general Monday complaint is that the puzzle hasn’t puzzled me ie it is too easy for The Guardian.
I am afraid the only evidence would be for you to stand behind me while I sadly solve it.
Today’s Bonxie is what The G.should be like.

Paul B.
Yawn (just to save time).

By: Brendan (not that one)

Brendan (not that one) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:41:20 +0000

Ok Rowland @28 for this puzzle.

As usual far too many double and cryptic definitions. Not a problem in moderation but in quantity they become tedious. Also they often have more than one possible solution and can only be confirmed by reference to other entries. (e.g. 6 across could be FLAK or SLAM!) Normally when you solve a cryptic clue you KNOW it’s correct. I know this is a matter of preference but I prefer “tighter cluing”.

Lazy cluing as in 15ac. Nice to see a different clue for Rufus. (&lit perhaps) but just not correct. Surely a a part of Satanism is a “black mass” so the clue is again confusing.

But the bottom line is that a normal Rufus is just not very interesting and too easy! It just my opinion but surely I’m allowed to air it? If you submit crosswords for a national newspaper then I don’t think you should be surprised to receive the odd bit of criticism.

By: rowland

rowland — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:16:31 +0000

I don’t want to start a ruck, but I think it is unfair just to say something is bad, without some sortt of evidence for that. If I don’t like something it’s usually because I’ve not been able to solve it! But at least I would say that, and back up where appropriate.

Cheers
Rowly.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 06:59:18 +0000

Yawn.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:10:30 +0000

You are not alone Brendan although I have given up making any comment on a Monday.Some posters get very possessive about the compilers and object to any criticism.

By: Brendan (not that one)

Brendan (not that one) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 21:15:15 +0000

Sorry but I find Rufus increasingly dull and I am amazed by his almost complete ownership of the Monday slot.

Surely I am not the only one whose heart sinks when I realise it is Monday and that I have nothing to look forward to except this predictable “write in”?

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 21:13:59 +0000

A Rufus that was a lot easier than usual, in our opinion. Perhaps because many clues were rather obvious/weakish today (9ac, 11ac, 12ac, 21ac).
And also because, as a (Dante) blogger, I had a déjà vu in 5d and, constructionwise, in 18d.
On the other hand, 22d (FRANC) was a highlight with its splendid surface.

BTW, should 1ac not be (9) or (5-4)?
And in 22ac, is FATHOM not a bit more than just ‘investigate’?
My PinC thinks it is.

By: nametab

nametab — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 20:11:21 +0000

Neat but quick Rufus as usual. The Kinks a very underrated band. Pic shows: L to R at back: Pete Quaife, Dave Davies, Mick Avory. The brilliant lyricist Ray Davies at front. Thanks to sschua