Listener Crossword 4116 - A(nother) Game of 1 by Glow-worm

[starwalker]

Although I am nowhere near finished, the grid-fill seems fairly straightforward. Despite the very long preamble, I am not expecting any major problems, so please can we try to keep any hints to an absolute minimum.

[AndrewG-S]

contendo, work through the preamble in the sequence it appears.

[midazolam]

Is it not meant to be honey-(s)toned silversolver? The S is missing in my set of clues

[silversolver]

I see your point, midazolam, on a strict reading of the Chambers definition.

[dr b]

Re 32d, I think a little clarity has to be sacrificed to get a better surface reading. But I think "of honey-stone" and "of honey-toned stuff" are equivalent.

[Clamzy]

It's rare that I finish before getting the newspaper, so concur with all above. At first glance at the preamble I had forecast a Sunday completion at the earliest but it proved to be honey-toned.
By the way cJ I'm putting you up for an audition to 'Live at the Apollo'. It will make a change to hear some wit as opposed to the current ramblings of modern day "comedians".

[Rogue-Elfe]

Liked it lots. The preamble had to be read several times in places to be understood; I thought that one of the players was cheating for a while. Does anyone see anything thematic about the answer to 22, or do you think that there's nothing strictly relevant about the word chosen?

[bellabee]

liked everything about this apart from the endgame where things get rather woolly [or i am missing something of course]. i think the consonant/vowel issue is resolved by order of play - but there is a possible gallic affirmation for this which would justify to some extent the necessity to 'form the names'. i am mostly worried about the other name though because highlighting the '5 letters which form the name' would not really identify the winner whereas it is possible to opt for one of the possibilities [in the same area] albeit a tad 'off-line'.is anybody else having these doubts, or am i overreading it? can't see a link with 22 dn and don't have any problem with the clue at 32 dn. liked this much more than last weeks which was a grinnnnd.

[aldanna]

Filled grid, and all sorted apart from the two names. Well, I think so. I am a bit bothered by the disparity between the numbers of vowels and consonants, and usually when I am a bit bothered by something in the Listener it means I have gone wrong somewhere. Not asking for any hints.

[teuchter2]

Nice to be back with you. I lost my husband two weeks ago after a long illness, so didn't have time or inclination to tackle the last few. I've got grid complete, but am having difficulty in finding the 9 clues -only 5 so far, but a couple that would appear to be replacing letters not in 22. I'll have a break and come back to it. Weather in teuchterland has been dire as have managerless donkeys.

[rabet]

Sorry to hear of your loss, Teuchter.

[bellabee]

also sorry to hear of your loss teuchter 2

[easterfool]

I'm with you, bellabee. It seems strange to comment on the name(s) unless we are to identify the correct spelling of the winner. I need to look at this very carefully as I start the proper fill in - one of my usual areas for error. So prone to miscopying - is it possible to solve Listener crosswords and be dyslexic (without knowing it)? Very unusual for me to be finished or even have started so early - must mean that I've lost the will to do any Christmas shopping. Very true, but don't tell Mrs. Ef

[tilbee]

Like most found this much easier than last week. Am also bothered by the final names - have the two groups of 5 letters and derived two names (in some form), but am confused by the reference to 'identity crisis'.

Aldanna - if still concerned about the number of vowels and consonants suggest you re-read the preamble. The replacement letters are the ones in the wordplay not the grid entry. I found this somewhat confusing at first.

[bellabee]

tilbee, can't you 'derive' a third name? - isn't this the 'identity crisis'?

[AndrewG-S]

teuchter2, my condolences, I hope the Listener can give you some relief in difficult times and that you husband is now at peace playing another game

[tilbee]

Thanks Bellabee I see that now - assume this must be what was being referred to.

[bellabee]

yes tilbee but it seems only myself and easterfool are tempted to stray from the straight and narrow. i'm certainly finding that interpreting the preamble is becoming more troublesome as the year plays out.

[7lattens]

Found the preamble daunting but once started everything fell into place for a relatively simple grid fill, that is, until, just like Contendo, I have come to a frustrating issue of identifying the boy and girl !

[trux]

fun, eminently do-able (suitable for a Bank Holiday ?), liked answer to 43D but had not realised that such words need no specific qualification - cannot fathom any connection between 22D and the game, but heck, what does it matter, it was enjoyable .... especially after the last two weeks' strains & stresses

[Mysterons]

There's no connection between 22d and the Game, just a convenient anagram of the 9 letters. Tend to agree with midazolam about the mistake in 32d and 3d also seems to have faulty wordplay - ? should read 'after beginning of storm' (not 'with')