English Chess Forum

Bright learner composed opera (6, 7)

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

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.

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

"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.

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).

"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!

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!'

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.

"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!

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!

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.