Cryptic Crossword Clues

A section to discuss matters not related to Chess in particular.
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IM Jack Rudd
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by IM Jack Rudd » Sun Nov 08, 2020 1:34 am

Bright learner composed opera (6, 7)

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MJMcCready
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by MJMcCready » Sun Nov 08, 2020 6:12 am

What about 'roadside mechanics assist chess player in white hat' (10) ?

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John Clarke
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by John Clarke » Sun Nov 08, 2020 9:50 pm

Kevin Thurlow wrote:
Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:52 pm
Peeler and mistaken Spanish principal are champion (5,7)
I'm pretty sure of the intended answer, but can't quite get the clue to fit.
"The chess-board is the world ..... the player on the other side is hidden from us ..... he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)

Kevin Williamson
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by Kevin Williamson » Mon Nov 09, 2020 12:03 pm

John Clarke wrote:
Sun Nov 08, 2020 9:50 pm
Kevin Thurlow wrote:
Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:52 pm
Peeler and mistaken Spanish principal are champion (5,7)
I'm pretty sure of the intended answer, but can't quite get the clue to fit.
Peeler is another term for a Bobby which drew me to the obvious answer. Then working backwards, Spanish Principal could be "Senor Chief" or Sr. Chief, which is an anagram of Fischer.

So I will go for Bobby Fischer

Kevin Thurlow
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:01 pm

"Peeler is another term for a Bobby which drew me to the obvious answer. Then working backwards, Spanish Principal could be "Senor Chief" or Sr. Chief, which is an anagram of Fischer."

Exactly the intended logic.

Paul Habershon
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by Paul Habershon » Mon Nov 09, 2020 4:28 pm

Kevin Williamson wrote:
Mon Nov 09, 2020 12:03 pm
John Clarke wrote:
Sun Nov 08, 2020 9:50 pm
Kevin Thurlow wrote:
Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:52 pm
Peeler and mistaken Spanish principal are champion (5,7)
I'm pretty sure of the intended answer, but can't quite get the clue to fit.
Peeler is another term for a Bobby which drew me to the obvious answer. Then working backwards, Spanish Principal could be "Senor Chief" or Sr. Chief, which is an anagram of Fischer.

So I will go for Bobby Fischer
I judge the obscurity of 'mistaken Spanish Principal' (=Fischer) enough to render the clue invalid in most cryptic crosswords, including 'The Times'. Hence John's difficulty with getting the clue to work.

However, Kevin W, you are undoubtedly a clever lad.

A sound clue, though not particularly felicitous, could be 'Angler picked up by policeman was world champion' (5, 7).

Kevin Thurlow
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:49 pm

"I judge the obscurity of 'mistaken Spanish Principal' (=Fischer) enough to render the clue invalid in most cryptic crosswords, including 'The Times'.

A sound clue, though not particularly felicitous, could be 'Angler picked up by policeman was world champion' (5, 7)."

Fair enough, but surely you need to include the "c" as well? Maybe "German angler"?

I was also messing around with "church in broken font" to clue Fischer... (CH and anagram of serif). Including font and church was appealing!

Paul Habershon
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by Paul Habershon » Mon Nov 09, 2020 7:19 pm

Kevin Thurlow wrote:
Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:49 pm
"I judge the obscurity of 'mistaken Spanish Principal' (=Fischer) enough to render the clue invalid in most cryptic crosswords, including 'The Times'.

A sound clue, though not particularly felicitous, could be 'Angler picked up by policeman was world champion' (5, 7)."

Fair enough, but surely you need to include the "c" as well? Maybe "German angler"?
Kevin, 'picked up' (=heard) is a common homophone indicator, along with 'sound of', 'broadcast', etc. to show that Fischer sounds like fisher.

A variation of the above could be 'Policeman heard angler was world champion'.

I like your church in damaged font idea. I've seen a similar problem solved by 'Damaged font in church? Just the opposite!'

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John Clarke
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by John Clarke » Mon Nov 09, 2020 8:53 pm

My own contribution to the genre: "C B Fry distracts himself with various hobbies and becomes a champ." (5,7) A not totally inaccurate summary of the actual Fry's life.
Last edited by John Clarke on Tue Nov 10, 2020 8:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"The chess-board is the world ..... the player on the other side is hidden from us ..... he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)

Kevin Thurlow
Posts: 5802
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:28 pm

Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Mon Nov 09, 2020 9:08 pm

"Kevin, 'picked up' (=heard) is a common homophone indicator, along with 'sound of', 'broadcast', etc. to show that Fischer sounds like fisher."

Ah, I forgot that!

Paul Habershon
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by Paul Habershon » Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:11 pm

John Clarke wrote:
Mon Nov 09, 2020 8:53 pm
My own contribution to the genre: "C B Fry distracts himself with various hobbies and becomes a champ." (6,7) A not totally inaccurate summary of the actual Fry's life.
Like it!
Last edited by Paul Habershon on Tue Nov 10, 2020 9:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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John Clarke
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Re: Cryptic Crossword Clues

Post by John Clarke » Tue Nov 10, 2020 8:26 pm

Paul Habershon wrote:
Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:11 pm
John Clarke wrote:
Mon Nov 09, 2020 8:53 pm
My own contribution to the genre: "C B Fry distracts himself with various hobbies and becomes a champ." (6,7) A not totally inaccurate summary of the actual Fry's life.
Like it!
For pedantic perfection you could edit to (5, 7), then I will delete this sentence.
Oh b****r, how did I let that one through??! Corrected. Cheers, Paul.
"The chess-board is the world ..... the player on the other side is hidden from us ..... he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."
(He doesn't let you resign and start again, either.)

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