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I got 18A wrong at first. It's not one of the themed clues, though. I found the crossword much easier than some of the offerings earlier in the week, especially last Tuesday's centenary tribute.Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 12:22 pmI'm obviously spending too much time on sudoku as I have been struggling with this one. Assuming I've got 18A right, the chess theme eludes me, but I assume not every answer is chess-related.
I’ve just completed it and I think 15 of the clues could be construed as chess-related, though none of them are chess-only words.Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 12:22 pm"I suggest you have a look at today's (Saturday) Guaurdian cryptic crossword. The whole puzzle is chess themed."
Your spelling of "Guardian" is fitting tribute to the paper's reputation!
I'm obviously spending too much time on sudoku as I have been struggling with this one. Assuming I've got 18A right, the chess theme eludes me, but I assume not every answer is chess-related.
I frequent the Crossword Help Forum where some posters know compilers. Apparently Qaos, Saturday's Guardian setter, said on Twitter that there are 18 chess related clues. I did find out his identity. His 130/140ish chess rating has been inactive since 1997 when it looks as though he played at/for Trinity College, Cambridge.John Saunders wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 12:29 pmI’ve just completed it and I think 15 of the clues could be construed as chess-related, though none of them are chess-only words.Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 12:22 pm"I suggest you have a look at today's (Saturday) Guaurdian cryptic crossword. The whole puzzle is chess themed."
Your spelling of "Guardian" is fitting tribute to the paper's reputation!
I'm obviously spending too much time on sudoku as I have been struggling with this one. Assuming I've got 18A right, the chess theme eludes me, but I assume not every answer is chess-related.
Re the Grauniad’s reputation, it is perhaps worth noting that it was The Times that gave Jon Speelman his famous nickname, and I think they rendered his name as “Specimen” not once but twice!
Ah, that's interesting... I recounted and still only found 15. Then I decided to check Twitter and found the dialogue Paul refers to...Paul Habershon wrote: ↑Sun Feb 21, 2021 1:23 pm
I frequent the Crossword Help Forum where some posters know compilers. Apparently Qaos, Saturday's Guardian setter, said on Twitter that there are 18 chess related clues.
to which Qaos replied...Twitter person wrote:Really enjoyed this, loved the theme which on completion seems to be deeper than first seen
I had a closer look at the grid and think I can perhaps discern another three solutions which have a chess-related word contained within them (though one of these is very technical and would only be spotted by a clued-up competition player - perhaps I have missed a more mainstream one). Also, two of the chess-related solutions are nicely juxtaposed so that they form a very familiar chess phrase.Qaos on Twitter wrote:Thanks! In total, 18 to spot today.
Aches - a + sPaul Habershon wrote: ↑Tue Mar 02, 2021 11:19 pm9ac today.
Hurts to lose a second battle of wits (5)
C - - - -
(That was the letter I had when I solved it)
The Times wouldn't have that solution - he's not dead yet. They slipped up once with Giscard d'Estaing - at the time still alive in his 90s.Colin Purdon wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:08 pmNot The Times, but from this week's crossword in The Week:
Chess champion resorts to the heavens (7)
Good to see the cryptic chess clues from anywhere rolling in. I don't suppose many have been struggling to solve that one, but as it's now been around for a few days I give you SPASSKY (resorts=spas, heavens=sky).Colin Purdon wrote: ↑Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:08 pmNot The Times, but from this week's crossword in The Week:
Chess champion resorts to the heavens (7)