Comments on: Guardian Prize No 25,754 by Qaos

By: Andy D

Andy D — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:51:27 +0000

Quite enjoyed this, though it wasn’t too difficult. It seems to me that the hardest puzzle of the week is almost never the Saturday Prize.

Last in was 28, I’ve never heard of the prophet Nathan.

Completely missed the Alien theme, but I’m not a fan of the film so I don’t know any names other than Ripley.

By: Brendan (not that one)

Brendan (not that one) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 17:12:32 +0000

Rhotician @22

Sorry I thought I was missing something.

Now that you mention it, the surface is a bit clunky! (I liked the clue too)

By: rhotician

rhotician — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:28:21 +0000

Yes, that’s the cryptic parsing. I’m talking about the surface. And I’m not complaining. I did say I liked the clue.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:01:42 +0000

But ‘noS’ is the abbreviation for ‘numberS’.

By: rhotician

rhotician — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 23:59:51 +0000

It’s just that the surface seems slightly flawed. Opening numbers:500,000,000,000? (I meant to say half a trillion is only one number.)

By: Brendan (not that one)

Brendan (not that one) — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 22:55:02 +0000

Definitely a litte too easy for a prize.

Rhoticain @3

“…, although trillion is only one number.”

I agree but what is your point?

By: Robi

Robi — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:51:53 +0000

Enjoyable puzzle.

Thanks bridgesong; another one who missed the Alien theme. NOSTRIL was a classic. I think for billion and trillion scientists now use the original US descriptions as given here.

By: Martin P

Martin P — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 13:16:46 +0000

Ha ha. I thought there must have been a prophet called Namostan…

Got naan though, I suppose.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 12:51:34 +0000

Thanks all
Much too easy for a Saturday.
However, I was held up by Ripley, which village I did not know; and hence 27ac and last in ‘naan’ were slow to finish.
I too tussled with Noah and loaf. I got the th(e) quickly but looked for a word (or name) which ended with th.

By: brucew_aus

brucew_aus — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 12:23:59 +0000

Thanks Qaos and bridesong

Found this a mix of very simple (29-1, 20, 31, 10, 3) some clunky (26) and very clever (12, 13, 28) clues.

As with some others, NAAN was my last in after also not making NOAH fit.

I had missed the ALIEN theme as I have never seen the movie – always appreciate the art of how these can be integrated into the puzzle.