ev 786

[ulysses100]

The site seems to be working OK at the moment, but for how long ?!? So I'll post this question whilst the going is good.
Yet another clever EV puzzle. I have completed the grid and solved the missing answers, but I cannot see how to make an "A" (in red) with the available As in the grid (certainly not in straight lines, nor using the 12 squares as indicated, nor equally spaced apart). Any ideas ? Or am I barking up the wrong tree ?

[MatydaLover]

I think I counted 24 "A"s ... a lot of them are a knight's move apart. Try that to include the "A" at square numbered 26.

[ulysses100]

Thank you again for your help MatyadaLover.
It works !!! I was trying to find an A-shaped letter and not the "rectangular" letter that appears.
What on earth made you think of looking at knight's moves to get the answer ? And, then try the various combinations !

[crofter]

I eventually went for a lower case italic a, where all links (except one) were based on the knight's move.

[mad max]

many thanks to you both, I just didn't think the letter would appear at an odd angle in grid ( I should have learnt by now that anything is possible) mad max

[crofter]

I agree that the picking out of a lower case "a" is not entirely clear here. I hope that this excellent grid is not marred by ambiguity in the final stages.

It looks like the "tail" of the "a" could be placed in the square below square 32 or in the square to the left of square 27.

[Quizmonkey]

All mine are knight moves and I'm happy with the 'a' - but I agree this final stage spoiled an otherwise excellent puzzle.

[mad max]

crofter if you are still on this thread, with respect I think you'll find its a capital A in a rectangular form as ulysses mentions above. mad max

[crofter]

Thanks mad max ~ I can see it now!

Your perseverance is greatly appreciated.

[MatydaLover]

Just got home this evening and tripped over a package on the doormat ... from the Telegraph! I've won the pen and �15 book token for ev785!

You'll recall that this was where I asked if anyone else wondered why President number 3 was missing ... so ulysses100 I owe you a big one!

I'll be out Friday night and my first pint (good beer of course)will be toasting you ... Cheers!

[Physicsgirl]

hello all,
not attempting this week's puzzle, neither have I had chance for the last 2 weeks, owing to major family crisis. Will save them for the Christmas hols.
In the mean time, hope you are all well. Congrats to Matydalover on his success, couldn't happen to a nicer ABer.

[crofter]

Well done MartydaLover!

A well deserved result ~ you give far more than you take on AB. The winning means far more than a pen and �15 ~ as you well know!

[ulysses100]

Congratulations MatyadaL:over !
How you managed to get your entry in by the cut off date I do not know !
EV is such a good series of puzzles that it's good to know that ABers are amongst the winners. Admittedly the prize involved does not seem worth the effort, but we all appreciate the challenge. Roll on the next one --- and I look forward to seeing my name up in lights as well one day!!!