Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
I asked Claude “Why would a lady crossword setter who normally uses the pseudonym ‘Chalicea’ occasionally set puzzles under the name ‘Curmudgeon’?”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Gemini really wasn’t much help when I submitted the preamble. It just kind of regurgitated – garbage in and garbage out.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
I felt that I’d set Claude a pretty tough challenge last time out, so I gave him a chance for redemption, asking “A themed crossword involves four ‘obstacle courses’, which have to be spelt out by joining 30 letters together in the grid, and includes a two-word phrase which describes what their constructors did to make them. Can you suggest what these obstacle courses might be?”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
I hope you are wide awake for this puzzle, because Charybdis challenges us by wanting us to sleep dreamily.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Always keen to steal a march on the setter, I told Claude, “A themed crossword puzzle asks us to identify an ‘immutable’ character, and we are required to add coloured circles into the completed grid. Who or what might this immutable character be?”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Chalicea sets tidy and enjoyable puzzles whose denouement often involves the eponymous Chalicean Stripe (if not trademarked yet, deserves to be).… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
I felt it was time to give ChatGPT a chance to shine, so I asked, “A themed crossword puzzle called Two Domains requires us to move letters from the main grid into a row above it and a row below, which, we are told, are the two domains, and contain ‘appropriate items’. What might these be?”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Stick Insect has been known to set the occasional numerical puzzle as well as regular cryptics.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Keen to get ahead of the game, I asked Claude, “In a themed crossword puzzle, we are told that in the filled grid we must simulate the effect of an action by moving a thematic block of cells within the two central columns, thus displacing another block. What might the theme of the puzzle be?”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Uncertainty is always challenging: many of the clues have a misprint (19/34) which means we have to constantly assess and monitor clue type while solving. … Continue reading