Radio Times Crosswords

[Marijn]

This is a serious question for people who regularly do the Radio Times cryptic crossword. . . . I was doing the Radio Times cryptic crossword every week and enjoying it, and even thought I'd look for a more difficult one. But in the past year I just can't do them, I'll get two or three answers and then have to give up. Has the crossword got harder? Have they changed the compiler? Or is it me?

[maurice]

Frankly, I think it's more likely you (whatever that means). I've been doing it regularly for some time, & while the degree of difficulty varies somewhat, i don't have the impression it's become generally much more difficult. But see what others think!

[Marijn]

Thanks for answering Maurice. If it's me, then it's worrying. I used to be able to do them without much trouble. I carry a few round in my handbag to do in my own time, they're probably a few months old now, and I'm getting nowhere. How long have you been doing them? I had been doing them for about 4 or 5 years, and they started getting too difficult about a year ago.

[Marijn]

Anyone else? Thanks in advance.

[Andelia]

I have been doing the radio times cryptic for about 3 years. In the past year, there have been a few more obscure clues creeping in and it seems they have a new compiler. But the difficulty does vary from week to week. I find it helps to put it aside for a few days, then return, and sometimes the answers will come to you.

[Marijn]

Thanks Andelia, I hope you are right, otherwise my brain is going. I do hang on to them and look at them from time to time, but they're so difficult they annoy me, and they used to be fun.

[oldgreyweird]

I think RT uses more than one compiler. You get tuned in to one ans then they change. I find somw weeks more difficult than others.

[Marijn]

Thanks oldgrey. I might give them another try.

[uksister]

Rather late to answer but my friend and I both think there is definitely a new compiler. I used to love doing them but don't any more - my friend likewise.

[Marijn]

Thank goodness for that uksister. I was serious worrying about my brain. They are definitely no fun anymore as I struggle too much, there's got to be a good balance.

[cool jool]

I'm inclined to agree with you Marijn. I always looked forward to the RT arriving and getting stuck into the crossword. It was just the right level for me - hard enough but I nearly always got there in the end. Recently I've found I can hardly get started. I hate putting in an answer if I can't work out the cryptic clue but I've done so on occasions. It's been proved correct but I can't always work out why! Am sure there's a new compiler. Ah well, I still enjoy trying! Have never won though

[Marijn]

Thank you, that is very reassuring. I don't do them any more because I don't have those satisying moments when the answer comes to me eventually. The answers just don't come at all now and if someone tells me the answer it doesn't all make total sense like it used to. The answers are so tenuous and vague now. Do you know of another crossword that is similar to how Radio Times used to be?

[Dave-W]

I agree the clues are more difficult now than they were. I usually manage to do it all except for about three clues. Then I give up and consult a website run by Chris Mart (Google for it). He usually manages to give his answers on Tuesday afternoons, and shows his explanations of the clues the following day. I wish RT would also print the explanations with the answers, as they help you get to know the sort of tricks to expect.

[Marijn]

Thanks DaveW. Do you know of any crosswords similar to how RT used to be?