Well, this is a strange-looking little thing! A 15 by 8 box, with numbered columns and lettered rows. And then there’s all sorts of other gubbins – jumbling and extra letters – with a little bit of highlighting for good measure.
OK. Deep breath, and let’s begin.
I found it easiest to find the answers comprising a few rows and then try to fix these in place by working out a few down clues. The additional letters (identifying ‘the nature of the contest’) were guessable once one had a few of them. The contest turns out to be a:
TUG OF WAR
However, it seems to me as though there has been a slight editorial malfunction. I would have thought that, if the ‘original’ condition of column 8 was restored, we should expect each row’s first clue to start in the first column. If this is what was intended, then the clues that are listed last in rows C, D and F should be first.
It’s a nice touch that both LEFT and RIGHT appear (in columns 1 and 15 in the bottom corners). It seems that the LEFT won the CONTEST 5-3, so it should be highlighted.
It’s a lovely idea, and well executed. Once I was over my initial fear, I had a fine time. Thanks, Kcit.
Notation
(xxx) = definition
[xxx] = (anagram/homophone/container/etc.) indicator
XXX* = anagram
< = reversal
CUTLINAE = letter to be altered
Please post a comment if the explanations are not clear.
| Across | ||
|---|---|---|
| A(i) | STENCIL | Design tool <NETS (captures) [rotated] < {L (line) I C (see)} [reflected] |
| A(ii) | TRACTILE | TRACK (Line around) [reduced] TILE (part of roof) easily drawn |
| B(i) | ECADS | Adapted species CAD (scoundrel) [placed in] ES [middle of] nest |
| B(ii) | INURE | Temper IE (that is) [holding] <RUN (career) [back] |
| B(iii) | MASUS | Salmon U [heading for] upriver [in] MASS (quantity) |
| C(i) | RESTATE | Comment again ATE (worried), [following] REST (others) |
| C(ii) | NOINTING | Word meaning consecration (NO ‘INTING (offering clues to some Londoners!)) |
| D(i) | TIGON | TIG (Chasing game), [with] ON (inclination towards) some big game? |
| D(ii) | TENONS | TENSE (Rigid) [cut], [accomodating] NO projecting pieces |
| D(iii) | RALE | Aural symptom – [33% reduction in] MORALE (confidence) |
| E(i) | PAPILIO | Butterflies AP (apparently) [caught in] PILI (hairs), O (nothing more) |
| E(ii) | FLOPPING | Going to sleep, F (foot’s) LOPPING (hanging down) |
| F(i) | TROW | Trust <WORT (old malt liquor) [to be recalled] |
| F(ii) | ANTIGEN | Substance used to treat EATING* [complex], N (note) |
| F(iii) | BRIO | B (Book) TRIO (Three) [having no initial] spirit |
| G(i) | SMOOTH-FACED | Plausible {FOOD MATCHES}* [cooking] |
| G(ii) | NESS | Point [piercing] oNE’S Sternum |
| H(i) | OTTER SHREW | West African creature – {WORST THERE}* [when roused] (two words) |
| H(ii) | KESAR | Historic Emperor, K (King) and R (Queen) [hosting] SEA* [manoeuvres] |
| Down | ||
| 1 | FLATNESS | <SENT (Dispatched) [northwards] [in] FLASH (an instant), [almost completely] out of boredom |
| 2 | CUTLINAE | LINAC (Atom-smasher) [all but] [captured in] CUTE (smart) American caption |
| 3 | AEROBICS | <SCREAM [Endless] (sign of fear) [raised] [about] OBI (witchcraft) exercises |
| 4 | LETTFRES | French characters getting FRESH [mostly] (amorous) [with] LETT (Latvian) |
| 5 | TCEILIDH | Dance party – <LECT (lecturer) [upset] [about] I (one) HID* [unexpectedly] |
| 6 | RANGOONR | RR (Bishop) [embracing] AN (one) GOON (thug) in Asian city |
| 7 | ADOOPTEE | A <POD (weight (for Ivan)) [lifted], [getting] TEE (support) for addition to family? |
| 9 | STOTINKI | <TOTS (Kids) [turned up] IN K (one thousand) and I (one) bits of Europe |
| 10 | INTENWSE | Earnest, INTEND [not entirely] (mean), and WISE (astute)? [Not I] |
| 11 | LUINGAMS | LUING (Scottish island) AS (so far) [suppressing] M (male) sexual symbols |
| 12 | NANOPORE | AN OP (operation) [to block] NORE (location of mutiny)? Little opening for that |
| 13 | SEGNATOR | Parliamentarian ROSE* [unexpectedly], [jabbed by] GNAT (insect) |
| 14 | TRIMPOTS | TROTS (Left-wingers) [limiting] IMP (imperial) sources of resistance? |
| 15 | HERITAGE | Tradition? I TAG (write graffiti) [in] HERE (this place) |
There’s a blog about the puzzle at http://phionline.net.nz/setters-blogs/contest/
This one defeated me. I only managed to solve four clues (though I kick myself for not getting the G ones). It would have helped if the lengths of the answers of the across clues had been given, but I accept that some solvers relish a more difficult challenge.