Listener 4203

[Philoctetes]

Well no one seems to have noticed it was going to be a numerical. And i see that someone by the name of "Zabadak" has already commented on the Crossword Club site in a somewhat Z-Cup winning fashion. Obviously inspired by the Games and wants his cup back.

[midazolam]

...I did, but I didn't want to think about it....I still don't want to think about it after reading the preamble. Misprints in numericals? Roll on next week

[starwalker]

Must be the fastest Z-cup award on record.

[Voulez-vous]

I usually have a stab. Sometimes I finish, often it's beyond me, but at least I have a go!

I'm "out" with this one. Can't even have a go................

Looking forward to hearing from those that "can". A VERY select group I imagine.

[jim360]

I almost gave up on this but now I've broken into it - 5 letters solved so far. It had better be worth it though and somehow I doubt that... except maybe for the sense of achievement. Loved Z's comment though!!!!

[jim360]

Anyway, undoubtedly the hardest numerical I've seen. Algebra is fine, it's OK working when you don't know something, but here sometimes you don't even know what you don't know!!! Maddening.

[Zabadak]

I did actually try for while, but since the best I can do is to get one number in, I've called it a day - perhaps that's an appropriate title.
Oh, and a big giveaway: 25 down isn't A. That should help you all to get going.

[Philoctetes]

You don't get two cups for multiple grumpy posts, Z :)

[Zabadak]

Who's grumpy?! I thought this was so far off the scale of doable for those of us that like words it became amusing. I did wonder if it was a spoof, and I'm looking forward to the printed form tomorrow to see what the real crossword looks like!

[aldanna]

I knew it was going to be a numerical so I didn't even try to get it. I let Himself get it, he read the preamble wonderingly and so far has done no more. Away next weekend (and the one after). When is my parsimony going to be rewarded and I get a free BRB? Three a week, someone must get them. Just might help to get lots correct, I suppose.

[Walterloo]

Good grief. I rarely do these but still have a look out of curiosity. Misprinted clues? I've got more chance of secreting a Mars bar in the Queen's handbag and getting out alive.

Zabadak: Well said.

Jim360: Quite seriously, well done for even starting it. That goes to anyone else who has made progress on this. I do admire you numberfreaks.


See you next week.

[emcee]

Have spent quite a while on this and got nowhere so shall leave it 'til tomorrow. The requirement for these number puzzles is supposedly an 'O'-Level in Mathematics (or equiv.). With a degree in Applied Mathematics to my name I still have no idea.

I was in a good mood before I started this puzzle.

[JustinTime]

After an hour of trying I have 3 clues, probably know one misprint and can see a way for another couple but - I don't think I am going to bother.
All number crosswords are boring and this one could win a gold medal.
At least with a real crossword I usually learnt something, even though it may only be useful in a bizarre set of circumstances.
Please, please, please reduce the number of number crosswords before my mind gets any number.

[Ruthrobin]

Fighting Zabadak for the Z cup this week but it might be of interest to anyone seriously attempting this thing that rphilips (one of the editors) has put its name in the text on the Times site now. It is called 'Sad Hummer' by Hedgehog'. (Not the only sad hummer I am sure!)

[dr b]

I'd have thought that with the one certain number penciled in, there would be a way to make some headway on the crossing entries, but no luck here. The misprints always force you to say, e.g., "either K is 12 or it isn't"; not much to work with there. So I am abandoning ship; curious to see exactly what the "way in" was with this one.

[magichour]

I am trying to find the way in by identifying candidate letters for the single figure numbers and taking it from there - have so far narrowed one letter down to three possible numbers and identified one definite misprint as a result - not the correct letter for that clue though!

This is going to be pretty tough, which I could have done without as I'm still trying to fathom what on earth is going on with last week's unclued entries.

[jim360]

Hmm. I believe I have the full solution (Certainly the misprints make sense and form the title of a novel) but my grid appears to have freedom to choose the checked square at 27a/ 27d. Must check it over tomorrow.

So much algebra... So many silly mistakes slowing my progress. Ouch. But if I have the grid right then this is the first time I've made the Friday club! By twelve minutes...

[jim360]

I tell a lie about the free parameter. Of course. Forgot about the "all entries are different" condition.

Therefore: Finished!!!

[Coalminers]

Well I've got the novel, but I'm not sure I can be motivated to prove any uniqueness.

[Charpy]

Wondered if an inspired guess at the novel title was the way to go.

My first thought was that it should be "Hard Times" and wondered if it had a more formal longer title: dead end.

Then, since nobody's admitted setting this thing, I wondered if it might be a whodunit. Not found a 20 letter title that doesn't disobey the "correct letter does not appear elsewhere in that clue".

Then looked for novels / authors with anniversaries this week. Still nowhere.

Only one way to go now. Write a difficult program to blitz the thing. At the moment cutting the grass / weeding etc. is starting to look like a really attractive alternative.

[Coalminers]

I've only just seen the title and setter. It was an excellent numerical, not needing an excel sheet. Perhaps on the trickier side. Does 32 across indicate that Hedgehog comes from Cheltenham? I wouldn't be surprised!