Listener 4166, Brief Appearances by Schadenfreude

[Walterloo]

Looks like a hefty and interesting challenge this week from a renowned setter. How many Friday Clubbers will there be with this one? Good luck to all.

[sunny-dave]

Just printed it off & it certainly looks meaty - I always enjoy the tussle with Schadenfreude's very terse clueing style ...

[starwalker]

Lots of fun so far. I think I know what is wanted, but still lack a few key entries.

[TheBear69]

Am I the first to make the Friday club?

Quite a slog, especially finding all the 22 clue answers with their truncated, anagrammed entries. My vote for most devious clue goes to 18a...at least it was the one that stumped me longest.

I'm not sure how enjoyable the struggle was but the result is a fine construction.

[trux]

I think you win by a country mile, TB69 ... have one "lost quarter" up in the top RH which I think I will now leave for the morrow ... some great deception in clues, some real groans ... will try not to think about it and try to get some sleep.

[midazolam]

Excellent puzzle. Just what the Listener is about. Solid but fair clues and a great grid construction. Thanks Schadenfreude

[Ruthrobin]

Nearly there but with gaps to fill so not quite Friday club, but what a dense and impressive construction. This has been a great pleasure to solve.

[dr b]

About 3/4 done after a few hours off and on; I hope the endgame justifies what so far has been a not-very-interesting slog. Early entry for the Z Cup....

[dr b]

OK, endgame was well worth it. Nice!

[trux]

Totally agree with Dr B . The ends amply justify the means - and a marvellous feat of construction to hide so much material without giving the game away as you go along. Many thanks to Schadenfreude, & much admiration.

[starwalker]

Just as I suspected last night.
What a wonderful puzzle - a classic Listener.

[aldanna]

I am finding this hard, but enjoyable. I particularly like the fidgetting on, working out what might go forwards/backwards etc. About half a grid so far, so a long way still to go.

[IainGrace]

Continuing problems with Crossword Club online - defaults to payment page. Is this a common problem and any solution? We have the paper copy but want a couple of working copies and don't have access to copier/scanner at present.

[sunny-dave]

Direct link to page :

https://www.crossword...3c6d4ab15021f/play_ni

[Walterloo]

I will get to this one tomorrow. I've been working on finishing some excellent Magpie puzzles. By the posts do far it looks like I'm going to enjoy it - and no tricky highlighting!

[Walterloo]

'So' far of course. Not 'do'. Doh!

[tilbee]

Slow going this afternoon but finally completed. Speeds up a little once theme is identified. Agree with previous comments that this an excellently contructed puzzle, where theme does not become apparent until well into the grid fill.

[IainGrace]

Thanks, Sunny-Dave, but still problems. Maybe our sub is up. Access to a copier soon enough.

[Patch49]

IainGrace. I had the same login problems and then discovered I was entering a different email address to the one I'd signed up with...

[emcee]

About 2/3 of the way through but still down the pit without a lamp. However, I am enjoying the challenge - and, my word, what a challenge!

[cluelessJoe]

Don't really need to post - Dr B did both of mine for me.
Just relieved to have upped my (historically poor) Schadenfreude percentage.
Finally, after 2 months untouched, took the shrinkwrap off my new Chambers ready for next year, and yes, it's as disappointing as I have read elsewhere. I'll stick with the 2003 one for as long as the sellotape holds.