Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 050
Old Timers by Radler
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Welcome to the fiftieth in our series of weekly puzzles.
The title of this puzzle by Radler is a cryptic reference to its theme.
Category: Radler
NTSPP – 037 (Review)
Not The Saturday Prize Puzzle – 037 (Review)
A Puzzle by Radler
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Radler’s puzzles can be at the tough end of the spectrum. Having test solved the first draft of this puzzle; I found it easier than some of his previous crosswords, but by no means an “easy” crossword to solve. It is difficult to judge how difficult your own crosswords are. I think that Radler sometimes underestimates how difficult some of his clues are. Having said this, the final version of the crossword is a lot more approachable with a good range of clues that give an entry into the puzzle.
There are some clues in the crossword that you will not usually see in the Daily Telegraph and where different setters and solvers have diverging opinions on their usage. I have tried to indicate these fairly without judging their acceptability.
As always, you can reveal an answer by highlighting the word or words between the curly brackets. Do let us have your comments on the puzzle as well. It is always good for the setter to get feedback and acknowledgment of the hard work that has gone into creating the crossword.
Many thanks to Radler for the challenge this week.
NTSPP – 037 (Comments)
Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 037
A Puzzle by Radler
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Welcome to the thirty seventh in our series of weekly puzzles.
This week we have an unthemed puzzle from Radler.
NTSPP – 029 (Review)
NTSPP – 029 (Review)
Strains of Blue by Radler
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This was an excellent puzzle from Radler with lots to get your teeth into and savour. It felt a lot like a Guardian crossword and was definitely in the Toughie spectrum. My favourite clues are shown below in blue.
There is a theme to this puzzle, alluded to by the title. Although the preamble says that finding the theme will assist with the nine themed clues, in practice, I think its is essential to find the theme to assist with solving the crossword as the definitions for some of the themed clues are very wide and would not lead you to the answers without the theme to guide you. The theme is that of royal houses.
I did have a few niggles with some of the clues. I have tried to indicate these fairly and they did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the puzzle.
NTSPP – 029 (Comments)
Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 029
Strains of Blue by Radler
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Welcome to the twenty ninth in our series of weekly puzzles.
This week we have another puzzle from Radler. There is an underlying theme, and working that out will help with the puzzle but is not essential.
NTSPP – 025 (Review)
NTSPP – 025
Solvers by Radler
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This is a first-rate puzzle from Radler which really exercised the little grey cells. The theme, as indicated by the title and by 21a, is solvers, i.e. fictional detectives, and Radler has managed to include no less than fifteen in the puzzle (one of whom I hadn’t heard of, although I am a fan of crime fiction).
The wordplay in a few places is quite tricky (worthy of an end-of-the-week Toughie) – I think that I’ve sorted out most of it, but I’m sure that Radler will point out any omissions or errors.
NTSPP – 025 (Comments)
Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 025
Solvers by Radler
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Welcome to the twenty fifth in our series of weekly puzzles.
This week we have another themed puzzle from Radler. Work out who the solvers are and the puzzle becomes a lot easier!
NTSPP – 022 (Review)
NTSPP – 022 (Review)
First Offence by Radler
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A fine puzzle by Radler for a hot Saturday afternoon. There were some looser definitions but this did not detract from the enjoyment of the challenge.
There is a theme to the puzzle indicated by 14d / 24d. I did wonder about sampling each of the theme words but tried 20a first and could not be bothered with the rest!
If you try hard enough, you can also link 17a, 12a and 17d in to the general theme. I shall leave this as a gentle exercise for the reader!
NTSPP – 022 (Comments)
Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 022
“First Offence” by Radler
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Welcome to the twenty second in our series of weekly puzzles.
This was the first puzzle that Radler compiled and he has recently revisited it to make it suitable for publication. Knowledge of the theme will assist in solving, but is not essential.
NTSPP – 017 Review
Not the Saturday Prize Puzzle – 017
“Dedication” by Radler
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Radler has produced a fine crossword in memory of his mother Anne. There are lots of violin and violin music related clues throughout the puzzle. It holds together very nicely and is not too stretching. Personally, I think it is his best crossword to date. A few minor quibbles do not detract from an enjoyable crossword. Many thanks to Radler for entertaining us this week.