A Puzzle by Dharma
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The puzzle is available by clicking on the above grid.
As usual, the setter will be delighted to receive feedback from you, the solvers. I do ask that you remember that for most setters this is a new experience, so please only offer constructive criticism.
A review by Prolixic follows:
Whilst good, I felt that this crossword was not Dharma at his best. There were slightly more technical issues in the crossword that means that the commentometer reads as 2.5/26 or 9.6%. On a more positive note, there were none of the looser definitions that were noted in his previous crossword.
Across
6a See old tree collapsing (6)
EXETER: A two-letter prefix meaning old or former followed by an anagram (collapsing) of TREE.
7a Need both wings of party to engage public (7)
POVERTY: The outer letters (both wings) of party include (to engage) a five-letter word meaning public.
10a Swimmer gutted pollock, eating in shade (6,4)
SALMON PINK: A six-letter name of a fish (swimmer) followed by the outer letters (gutted) of pollock around (eating) the IN from the clue.
11a One may fret over those changing sex? (4)
TERF: A reversal (over) of fret. The solution is given in the OED but not Chambers or Collins. Whilst the whole clue gives the definition, I don’t think that this quite makes it as a semi &lit clue as the word play does not fit grammatically within the cryptic reading of the clue.
12a Don’t stop Tory with posh base acquiring money (8)
CONTINUE: A three-letter word for a tory and the abbreviation for posh and a numerical base include (acquiring) a three-letter slang word for money.
14a Room in Spooner’s small place (6)
LEEWAY: A Spoonerism of WEE (small) LAY (place).
15a Kick the police and pay the price! (4,3,4)
FOOT THE BILL: A four-letter word meaning kick followed by the “the” from the clue and a four-letter word for the police.
19a Is story about one who used to serve? (6)
AGASSI: The IS from the clue and a four-letter word for a long story all reversed (about).
20a Raw beginner with defensive howler interrupting drive for improvement (8)
PROGRESS: The first-letter (beginner) of raw and the abbreviation for own goal (defensive howler) inside (interrupting) a five-letter word meaning drive. Some editors will not allow constructions such as raw beginner to mean the beginning of raw.
22a Bank starts to terminate individual, evading reason (4)
TIER: The initial letters (starts to) of the final four words of the clue.
23a Why was I shy, distressed and weak? (5-5)
WISHY-WASHY: An anagram (distressed) of WHY WAS I SHY.
25a Complimentary drink after cycling can be liberating (7)
FREEING: A four-letter word meaning complimentary followed by a three-letter alcoholic drink with the letter cycled around.
26a Spineless guy at last giving way to fine chap (6)
FELLOW: A six-letter word for spineless or cowardly with the initial Y (guy at last) replace with the abbreviation for fine.
Down
1d Contributor to delicatessen a Tory politician (7)
SENATOR: The answer is hidden (contributor to) the third to fifth words of the clue.
2d No point in barber cutting Rishi’s wavy hair (4)
PERM: Remove (no) a four-letter word for a point from the word barber and include the letters that remain inside the abbreviation for prime minister (Rishi). As Rishi is being used as a definition by example, this should be indicated.
3d Imagine writer‘s notes being collected by Trotsky! (6)
LENNON: The abbreviation for note is included twice (as notes is plural) inside the first name of Trotsky. I think that the very limited number of notable Trotskys (the well-known one, an obscure Russian architect and a Belarusian road walker) definition by example indicator is not needed here
4d Group discussing reserve team? (4,4)
BOOK CLUB: A four-letter word meaning to reserve followed by a four-letter word for a team.
5d Top place for wine we hear, it flies off the shelf (4,6)
BEST SELLER: A three-letter word meaning top followed by a homophone (we hear) of cellar (place for wine).
8d Nurse collaring hospital menace (6)
THREAT: A five-letter word meaning to nurse or tend around (collaring) the abbreviation for hospital.
9d Present article on American caught in pub fire (4,3,4)
GIVE THE PUSH: A four-letter word meaning present to donate followed by the definite article and a two-letter word for American inside (caught in) the abbreviation for public house.
13d Somehow, sure to capture Root’s top cricket position – cover? (7,3)
TROUSER LEG: An anagram (somehow) of SURE TO includes (capture) the first letter (top) of Root followed by a three-letter word for a cricket position. In the cryptic grammar, A capture B does not work.
16d Follow snake delivering blow from behind (8)
TAILWIND: A four-letter word meaning follow followed by a four-letter word meaning to snake or coil.
17d Democrat leaving plane after Ukranian leader becomes more unpleasant (6)
UGLIER: The abbreviation for democrat is removed (leaving) a six-letter word for an engineless plane after the first letter (leader) of Ukrainian. Watch the spelling in clues. Some editors would not allow Ukrainian leader. Whilst French leader might imply leader of the French, Ukrainian leader does mean leader of the Ukrainian.
18d Abandons bets … odds not taken on Conservative cuts (7)
ESCHEWS: The even letters (odds not taken) followed by the single letter abbreviation for Conservative a four-letter word meaning cuts.
21d Pluto’s ultimate element? (6)
OXYGEN: The element whose chemical symbol is the final letter (ultimate) of Pluto.
24d Skilled brewer’s head swimming in beer (4)
ABLE: The first letter (head) of brewer inside (swimming in) a three-letter word for beer. I would have tried to find a way of avoiding the word “swimming” as it takes the indicator beyond being an insertion indicator.
Lots of great clues and good fun to solve for.
We failed with 11a as it was something we did not know and also found that our BRB only knows the word as a Miltonian variation with a totally different meaning.
Lots of ticks on our printouts but we’ll go with 3d for favourite.
Thanks Dharma
There are some great clues in this enjoyable puzzle – thanks to Dharma.
Like 2Ks I failed on 11a and had to reveal two letters. The BRB failed to come up with a meaning that satisfied the clue so I had to resort to Mrs Google.
I had ticks for 19a, 20a, 25a, 5d and 16d but my favourite was 3d.
Quite a potpourri for me – some great clues, odd ones that seemed a bit weak – e.g.13d and one of those ‘here today gone tomorrow’ acronyms that felt a little pointless.
Biggest ticks here went to 19a plus 4,5&18d.
Thank you, Dharma.
Welcome back again, Dharma/Stephen.
Once again, a terrific puzzle that I thoroughly enjoyed solving. I particularly liked the topicality of 22a. I have plenty of ticks on my printed page, with double ticks going to 15a and 19a.
A few little quibbles – I think you need at least a question mark at the end of 3d to reflect the fact that not every Leon is called Trotsky, and the Ximenean in me doesn’t particularly like “raw beginner” to indicate R and “Ukrainian leader” to indicate U. I’d have much preferred to see something like “Beginning of recovery…” and “Ukraine’s leader…” instead. I’m not entirely sure that 11a (another topical reference!) quite works either as an intended all-in-one. “Swimming” in 24d seemed like blatant surface padding (and made me think it was an anagram, initially) in a way that “immersed” would not.
All in all, another excellent Dharma creation that I hope will receive the attention and praise that it deserves. Many thanks.
I really enjoyed this. Can’t print anything off at the moment so haven’t been crosswording lately but gave it a go on the screen. I loved the topicality and (especially!) the brevity of the clues and for the most part it felt just like doing one of those clever topical DT backpagers you get sometimes.
I had problems with 4d, 9d, 20a so will need to read the review for those. I don’t think 11a worked at all really, although I can definitely see the intention. Even so I wonder if any editor would touch that clue/word with its controversial nature. 15a definitely my favourite with 5d, 6a and 19a all worthy runners up. 21d also deserves a mention for being very clever.
Thanks Dharma Dharmeleon 😁
A very enjoyable puzzle although we didn’t know 11a and it took us a while to complete. The bottom half was filled before the top half. Favourites were 15a, 19a and 21d. Thank you Dharma and in advance Prolixic.
Many thanks to those who have taken the trouble to do the puzzle and leave a comment, all much very much appreciated and feedback noted. I’m pleased that people found lots to like about it.
Just to respond to a couple of points if I may. I knew that TERF (which I intended as a semi &lit) may not have been known to everyone and probably wouldn’t make a DT puzzle but my ambition got the better of me once again and i like a contemporary reference and a chance to have a bit of fun.
In a recent back-pager the setter clued some sort of reference to Rooney by using Wayne in the wordplay (or visa versa) without a “perhaps” or a question mark. When I queried this on the blog the setter said something to the effect of that when two names are very strongly linked with each other a question mark or qualification wasn’t necessary. There’s only really one Trotsky so wouldn’t that apply here? I can only guess that this is one of those grey areas or the setter’s, or indeed editor’s call ?
Thanks again.
Your last comment certainly strikes a chord. Of the many benefits of submitting puzzles to Rookie Corner one, I found, is discovering that opinions can vary, even amongst expert solvers and experienced setters! When and when not to use indicators in clues seems to come high up the list of contentious issues in my limited experience of reading comments on my own crosswords. I think you make a sound observation about it being a compiler’s or editor’s call.
I really enjoyed the crossword. Podium places for 15a 5d and 9d. I had not heard of 11a but it was generously clued and easily researched. Many thanks Dharma/Stephen
I think the clue that Dharma was referring to was in DT 30343 by Anthony Plumb (probably):
Charlie and Wayne briefly getting first glimpse of reed warbler (7)
I only remember that because I blogged it.
Thanks to Jeemz for his comment and you’re right Gazza, that was indeed the clue, and the setter was our own Twmbarlwm!
Ah, thanks. My memory obviously wsn’t as good as I was claiming!
Absolutely agree with that first para, Jeemz. But it’s also part of the fun and frolics of crosswording.
Dharma, ignore my problems with 4d, 9d, 20a, all were just examples of me being extremely dense 😂
For 11a
Period of fret over having sex change (4) To clue TERM might have been a less controversial option.
Hi 2Ks. Yes it would but I like “controversial” or edgy contemporary clues, I think they give a puzzle an extra dimension. The solution has been in the news a lot here, especially with the likes of JK Rowling and Graham Linehan being unjustly termed it. Maybe one of those clues more suited to a domestic audience, which I’ll take into consideration next time and rein in my ambition! I’m pleased you liked the rest of it though.
Agree 100%. I have learned a (very) new word here and the OED have not labelled it as derogatory. Also, I can’t see anything particularly wrong with the construction of the clue either – a very good clue in my book!
A pleasant solving experience, but I’d agree with Prolixic’s general comments. I thought 22ac nicely topical (think N Farage and Natwest) though that nay be just coincidence as I don’t know how long ago you submitted the puzzle.
Thanks, Dharma.
Thanks Exit, it wasn’t coincidence
Many thanks Prolixic for giving your time to advise on and review my puzzle, much appreciated.
I liked the definition in 11a but accept that the clue doesn’t quite work (my test solver did warn me!) and likewise the error in 13d, again entirely my fault.
Very late to this sorry Dharma but another super puzzle, many thanks. I’d agree with all Prolixic’s points, including no need for def-by-example for Trotsky, except that I think PM for Rishi is also fine without def-by-example … 2d was one of my favourites (on a *very* pedantic note, the ‘flow’ of the cryptic reading might be thought to be slightly disrupted by having the instructional phrase “no point in barber” then used more straightforwardly as a noun “cutting” another; “Pointless barber cutting Rishi’s wavy hair” perhaps subtly changes the *cryptic* reading to something that feels more natural? I was reluctant to mention such a silly pedantic point but maybe it’s something interesting to consider?) I liked 15a but think you could have gotten away with omitting the explicit “the” in the wordplay. Other faves include 6a, 7a, 22a for topicality, 26a and 8d.
Hi Fez, better late than never! 😉
I don’t mind you mentioning any points, “pedantic” or not, I appreciate the feedback and the opportunity it gives me to learn further. I agree that it does give a smoother surface read.
It’s interesting that you mention the Rishi/PM device, it’s perhaps the only issue I’d have with the excellent points and guidance made in the review but I guess the referee’s verdict is final!
Thanks again for taking the trouble to solve and comment, pleased you found lots to enjoy.
Many thanks for the review and helpful observations, Prolixic, I always learn a great deal from them.
Politics (Farage & Sunak) & topicality right up my street Dharma. Thoroughly enjoyed it & couldn’t see anything wrong with & rather liked 11a but what do I know – the technical flaws dissected (ie Ukrainian leader & swimming) largely pass me by though since having to write hints I guess I pay a bit more attention. Anyway thanks & keep ‘em coming Stephen – 19&22a plus 5&18d my top 2 of each
Many thanks Huntsman and pleased you enjoyed it.
To be fair to us both those technical flaws to which you refer are very minor.
Why not have a go yourself, I’m sure you’d be able to put a good one together.