Listener 4100: Table-turning by Kea

[midazolam]

This is what the listener is all about. As soon as I saw Kea's name at the top I knew this was going to be good. This was a real challenge, the like we have been missing recently. Masterful construction with ingenious ideas in both clues and design. The best this year so far. Thanks for the brain workout Kea.

[cluelessJoe]

"but you and I both know the ways in which you made it easier for yourself" ....

Well done S-matrix ... had not recognised your collaboration on this puzzle. A majestic effort if I may say so.

Presumably, you also found ways to make Staurologist's challenge (point 4. in his post) equally easy!

[Mysterons]

I must admit I too found the jumbled order of the clues quite irritating, so much so that I spent 10 minutes re-ordering them conventionally, with a string of numbers below so I could complete the instruction, and the numbers of the 2 adjacent clues after each to assist in identifying which of the 3 types each was - it's always preferable if the setter can manage to present the hidden message in normal clue order.

[contendo]

I remain stuck at the final fence. The poet and quotation are almost intact before carrying out the 2-part instruction and it's difficult to see how they can remain intact after the instruction has been carried out.

[Clamzy]

Difficult yes, but not impossible obviously. As a last resort contact me at [email protected]

[AndrewG-S]

contendo, keep going you are clearly on the right lines - a few coloured pens may help!

[tweaker]

phew! All done. A great puzzle but somewhat comes a bit marred if you fall off the flow of what's going on. However, had I been doing these puzzle for a length (and know all the tricks of the trade) of time I would of completed it quicker. So 10/10 anyway, this one stuck out from the rest, thats for sure.

Cheers Kea.

[contendo]

Finally made it. Thanks for the offer of help Clamzy, but glad I managed it without. Yes, the colour markers were a help Andrew G-S. Very easy to slip up at the final stage. I'm left with a gap which I hope is intended.
Just time to take a deep breath before the arithmetic starts. There must be easier ways of torturing oneself.

[contendo]

I closed the gap. All is well.

[qwerty99]

Finally, I got there too! It was hard work, but worth the struggle. A brilliant puzzle, almost as good as Safe-cracking

[cluelessJoe]

Strange (or maybe not) that safe-cracking is such a legend. It's probably my favourite puzzle of the past 5 years - and yet I got it wrong. Can't remember exactly what - I had all the moves, the string of pearls etc. but at the death, somehow managed to introduce the obligatory single transcription error.
I'm pleased that Kea's efforts are so widely recognised for their mastery of the art, (though doubtless the odd poster might have also cracked the afore-mentioned safe after 10 minutes and just two perimeter answers).

[qwerty99]

Clueless Joe, Safe-cracking IS a legend; somewhere in my attic I have all the workings-out as I edged towards the solution. I was fortuate, and got it right. Kea is a genius, and he is lucky to have such an erudite collaborator as the one who was so rude to you earlier.

[qwerty99]

Meant fortunate, obviously

[contendo]

Has anyone noticed that bar under 27 dn? What's it doing there? The other 3 bars at the periphery are there for a purpose in the final solution but I can't see the point of this one.

[AndrewG-S]

contendo, tough to answer without giving too much away, but I believe it was logical to include given the manipulations which have been undertaken

[Ruthrobin]

I would love to know the number of 'Safe Cracking' if anyone has a record of it. My first Kea was 'Admission' (4045) and that was dazzlingly brilliant.

[failedagain]

Ruthrobin, full historical information about the Listener crossword is on their website. Kea's puzzles are listed at http://www.listenercr...m/Setters/K/Kea.html. Safe-cracking was number 3843.

[Ruthrobin]

Many thanks, 'Failed again'.

[Ythelon]

http://ccgi.laserbase...swords/xwdb_home.html

Ruthrobin. You will also find details of Kea's previous puzzles by following the above URL. It is a database compiled by Dave Hennings and provides a wealth of information about The Listener and other similar series. If you are familiar with it you will agree that this is a formidable compilation which must have been a real labour of love over many years and a mine of useful information for solvers as they attempt to use past puzzles as an indication of possible ways forward.

[Ruthrobin]

Thanks, Ythelon - I've just put it in favourites. We seem to have hit 100 again on the thread (thanks in part to S-Matix!) but that seems like a just comment on Kea's appeal.