Listener 4286 No Robbery! By Radix

[emcee]

Searching this site hasn't found any other threads for this puzzle, so here goes!

I thought this was the toughest puzzle for some time. It took me several hours last night before the penny finally dropped as to what was going on with all three types of clue.

As with all of Radix's puzzles, the clues were tough (but fair) and the construction was exceptional - how on earth would you ensure such a neat final grid with all the constraints imposed therein?

A puzzle which is a fitting tribute to a very able gentleman. Many thanks, Radix.

[teuchter2]

I'm not getting very far with this one either, and as I am off to Prague tomorrow I may have to give it a miss, although it sounds as if it will be very satisfying to get to the end. I did get last week's done, but too happy with my cup final trip to post! The sheep are on fire!

[Cagey]

What a fantastic construction! Another amazing achievement.

[logophile]

Indeed,if you solve this as a first-timer you're surely in with a shout for the Jug ! Bravo Radix !

[lyrabelacqua]

My, that took while, but I am finally there. Exceptional, and a fitting tribute. toughest I have ever finished.

[olichant]

It's finally twigged - phew. And worth it for the quick succession of PDMs.

Many thanks, Radix.

I think that a newcomer who completes this deserves the new cup immediately!

[starwalker]

A wonderful finale from a wonderful man. Thank you Radix, for all the pleasure you gave (and all the head-scratching too).

[fallster]

Figured out what is going on, but still not an easy puzzle to finish. Enjoying this challenge though.

[crosswhit99]

Kudos to Radix, ... or should that be Gfzte !

[Scorpius]

I have a pretty full grid, admittedly with some guesswork, but I've never got so far with a puzzle without having a clue as to what's going on. I guessed the alternative title early on, but I've been unable to fully parse any one of the nine answers to the letter-shift clues that I've solved; I cannot even get anything sensible out of any letter movement. I assume that there is is some sort of relationship between answers to normal clues and their entries, otherwise why have clues, but I cannot see any link at all.

I need more than a penny to drop; more like a large gold ingot.

[iamamoose]

Crosswhit99....
Careful please! Maybe you should delete that one.

[s_pugh]

Finally stumbled over the line after three full days and as many reams of paper used. Brain shredded. Undoubtedly the toughest by a long, long way. Thanks to Radix, a fine bequest indeed.

P.S. Sadly it looks as if x-whit99 has already posted completion instructions elsewhere. I'm just glad that I didn't check the site sooner. Why do people try to spoil others fun and enjoyment so?

[perseverer]

S_pugh - if you are familiar with that other site then you will know that people regularly post explicit answers, and while we may not like it, they see nothing unacceptable in that, and cannot really be accused of spoiling peoples fun, given that people looking at it are quite happy to see answers given. The only safe thing is not to look at that site if you want to avoid spoilers. On AB most who contribute to the Listener thread follow the convention of commenting on difficulty etc but saying very little that would help others, but even here, people occasionally say more than we would like, and there are one or two who seem to like posting clever comments which may just give the game away to others.

[Contrarian]

The hardest Listener I've ever done. I would never have solved it without some computerised assistance.

[PureListener]

crosswhit99 - you have now spoilt my attempt at this difficult crossword, and no doubt diminished the enjoyment of many other solvers who visit this forum not for answers but for encouragement and amusing chat. Personally, I like to solve each Listener without any help and unfortunately that won't be possible this time. Please don't take my comments too personal crosswhit99 but I think the majority of the visitors to this forum would like to keep the comments answer-free. The crosswordsolver forum seems to be the place to exchange answers.

[TheBear69]

Commiserations, PureListener. This was a special Listener - a superb puzzle by one of the cleverest and kindest setters we have known. Posters need to think twice before posting. If you have even the slightest suspicion that your post might give away the secret, then do not post it. Please!

[Mesnilpat]

I don't think I would have completed this in a month of Sundays if I hadn't ventured 'to the dark side' and seen a few nudges in the right direction. I won't be submitting as a result. I do hope we can keep AB nudge-free as I only resort to the other site when completely stumped and have abandoned all hope of submitting. I do feel, however, that the help given openly there (and only by some contributors) is sometimes just not on. Radix and all the other setters deserve more respect.

[Ornis]

My satisfaction at finally completing this puzzle is completely dwarfed by my admiration for its setter, eg in the entry method for long answers particularly. I can barely begin to imagine how he achieved that. Very sad that there will not be more, but very grateful for this as a final offering.

[Deviant]

Incredible construction. Not convinced that the preamble is quite fair, but perhaps I'm being a wimp.

Am I going mad or is there an error with the first letter of 10 across? Don't want to say more lest I give the game away.

[EdmundD]

Where would I find this crossword please? I'd like to give it a try.

[Alan7777]

I agree that it was an amazing construction and a massive challenge.

Deviant, I see no problem with 10 across.

EdmundD, the Listener crossword is published in The Times on Saturdays. If you send an email to [email protected] I will send an electronic version.